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School security, police nab burglary suspects www.privateofficer.com
School security, police nab burglary suspects http://www.privateofficer.com
WALNUT CREEK CA OCT 20 2008
NTL. ASSOC. PRIVATE OFFICERS
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One of two suspects who allegedly stole copper wire from Foothill Middle School in Walnut Creek was arrested early this morning, about 30 minutes after running from a school security officer, police said.
According to police, at aprroximately 3:30 a.m., the security officer saw the suspects stealing copper wire from the school at 2775 Cedro Lane. The guard chased the suspects, but stopped after one claimed to have a gun, police said.
Numerous officers were dispatched to the area and a complete searched conducted of the neighborhood.
About a half hour later, officers found Concord resident John Toomey, 44, who the security officer was identified as one of the suspects, according to police.
Toomey was arrested on charges of grand theft, felony vandalism, possession of burglary tools and being under the influence of a controlled suspect. He was booked into Contra Costa County jail in Martinez with a bail of $25,000.
Police are still seeking the second suspect and anyone with information regarding the case is asked to call the Walnut Creek Police Department at (925) 943-5844 .
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Man charged with playing cop www.privateofficer.com
Man charged with playing cop http://www.privateofficer.com
Police said that Ryan Churchill, 23, and a former security guard, introduced himself as a police officer who was on medical leave because he had cancer. One woman he told said she allowed her son to hang out with Churchill because she believed he was a positive role model. The boy, whose name was not released, told his mother that he and Churchill had smoked marijuana together and that Churchill had pulled people over for traffic violations while he was in his car.
When police searched Churchill’s car, which he purchased at a police auction, they found a 40-caliber gun with several bullets, a handcuff pouch, a badge holder and receipts for car washes in which he was given a police discount. He had yellow flashing lights and had mounted a camera to the car’s dashboard and installed a Doppler radar system.
He is being held in the Palm Beach County Jail. His bail was set at $15,000.
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Shoplifting suspect assaults employees of CVS www.privateofficer.com
Shoplifting suspect assaults employees of CVS http://www.privateofficer.com
Annapolis MD OCT 20 2008
NTL. ASSOC. PRIVATE OFFICERS
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An Annapolis man was arrested Tuesday morning after he allegedly shoplifted from the CVS on Hillsmere Drive and allegedly assaulted an employee, city police said.
Police responding to 911 calls sent several officers to the store at 7 a.m. and when officers arrived employees of the store informed them that the man, later identified as Jesse Smith had concealed clothing and other items and when he was confronted began fighting with security personnel.
The man pushed the employee, causing him to fall into an outdoor cafe table. The alleged shoplifter then ran.
Police found a man matching the shoplifter’s description on Old Annapolis Neck Road and took him into custody and returned to the store with the suspect.
At the store, employees were able to make a positive identification of the man they say shoplifted and assaulted store employees, police said.
Jesse B. Smith, 39, of Forest Drive, was charged with theft and assault and transported to the county detention center and was being held on bail police said.
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Police investigate armored truck robbery, assault www.privateofficer.com
Police investigate armored truck robbery, assault http://www.privateofficer.com
DANVERS, Mass. OCT 20 2008
NTL. ASSOC. PRIVATE OFFICERS
www.privateofficer.com– Police are still searching for the suspect responsible for assaulting and robbing a guard at Dunbar Armored Car on Friday.
Police officers responded to a call from Dunbar reporting that one of their armored trucks were held up.
Police say that the guards had just completed his pick-up from the Market Basket on Endicott St., and was returning to his vehicle when he was confronted by a single male who physically assaulted and robbed him of the bag he was carrying.
Police secured and canvassed the area, but the suspect had already fled on foot.
The suspect is described by witnesses as a Hispanic male, 19-21 years old, thin build, 6′, wearing a dark t-shirt with a white emblem on the front and a dark hooded sweatshirt.
After the incident, the guard was taken to Beverly Hospital for treatment.
Danvers police detectives are investigating the robbery in conjunction with the FBI’s Bank Robbery Task Force.
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Store stocks shelves with shoplifted items www.privateofficer.com
Store stocks shelves with shoplifted items http://www.privateofficer.com
PROVIDENCE RI OCT 20 2008–– A store owner in the Wanskuck neighborhood is accused of paying people to steal cans of baby formula and other items from major retailers for resale in his own store.
Baby formula is one of the hottest items shoplifted from retailers –– so much that some investigators have dubbed it “liquid gold” because it’s expensive and easy to resell on the black market. Nationally, baby formula has become a favorite of organized crime rings, which have been caught fencing millions of dollars in baby formula for resale at other stores or online auctions.
The Providence police say this is the first time that they’ve caught a store owner allegedly hiring people to steal the items for stocking on his own shelves.
The case against Luis Perez, the owner of the Hawkins Market, at 103 Hawkins St., came together over several months after an investigator for Target tipped off the Providence police that people were selling stolen items to the market.
The police started watching the Hawkins Market and noticed people going into the store with shopping bags full of merchandise –– and coming out empty-handed, said Sgt. John O’Connor.
So, the police sent in one of their own. Patrolwoman Koren Pacheco, working undercover, met with Perez, who gave her a “shopping list” of items that he wanted and negotiated how much he’d pay her for them, O’Connor said. He offered $15 for a can of formula (usual retail cost about $25), $5 for razors, well below what the items were selling for — and below the price the market later charged, O’Connor said.
For the first trip, Pacheco came in with razor blades and a can of Nestlé Good Start baby formula –– supplied by Target and worth a total of $79.35. Perez paid her $25 and asked if she could get a GPS system next time, O’Connor said.
She did, along with more cans of baby formula and razors, all with the Target store decals, worth a total of $715.09. Perez had only $150, so he declined to buy the GPS because he “did not want to rip her off,” O’Connor said.
The police searched the store on Oct. 1 and found the goods that Pacheco had sold to Perez on the shelves, along with hair irons and a hair dryer, all the property of Target. Pèrez was charged with larceny over $500, a felony. Detective Lt. Paul Campbell said e at least four people are believed to have been “suppliers” for the Hawkins Market. Perez declined to comment on Thursday at his store, where baby formula was for sale out of reach behind the counter.
Baby formula, razors and health and beauty items are easily fenced on the black market and online auction sites, because they have universal demand –– everybody uses these items –– and they are small enough to shoplift easily. Across the country, police have cracked major organized retail crime rings fencing millions of dollars in baby formula.
Some retailers have locked up baby formula to deter shoplifters, although neither the Stop & Shop supermarkets nor the Target department stores use those measures. “It’s something we struggle with,” said Michael Krueger, spokesman for Target. “Our brand is one of easy convenience [for customers]. We try not to lock stuff up.”
Shoplifters, Krueger said, are either “ultra-brazen or ultra-sophisticated.” Some will load up a shopping cart with baby formula and make a run for the emergency exit, where they unload the goods into a waiting vehicle. Others will make up UPC codes for cheaper products and affix them over the more expensive items, or empty a large container holding a less-costly item and fill the box with what they really want.
Target has hired more investigators to combat the rise in organized retail crime, Krueger said, and has trained its investigators to work with the police, as in the case in Providence.
Organized retail crime has been growing, according to a survey released this summer by the National Retail Federation, the largest retail association. In the survey, 85 percent of retailers reported being victims of organized retail crime and 66 percent saw increases in the crime last year. Organized retail crime amounts to between $15 billion and $30 billion annually, according to the FBI.
Krueger and others say the anonymity of online auction sites is driving the rise in shoplifting, because the sites offer an avenue to sell large quantities of stolen goods without the risk of detection.
Last month, the vice president of loss prevention for the National Retail Federation testified before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security on the need for legislation to give law enforcement the power to investigate criminal operations using the Web to sell millions of dollars in stolen goods.
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Shoplifting/ Retail Security News www.privateofficer.com
Shoplifting/ Retail Security News http://www.privateofficer.com
A woman who walked out of a Green Valley supermarket with more than $850 worth of groceries has been arrested for shoplifting, Pima County Sheriff’s reports said.Store employees called authorities Monday evening after Barbara Smith, 61, left the Safeway on Continental Road without paying for the groceries in her shopping cart.Smith told them she didn’t plan on paying for the items because she had no money.She was cited for shoplifting and released, and has a pending court date.Reports say Smith is banned from entering a Safeway store in the Tucson area.
Columbia SC
Richland County sheriff’s deputies are working to identify a man who cut a loss prevention officer in the hand with a knife at Lowe’s on Two Notch Road on Tuesday.
The man was leaving the lumber area of the store when he was confronted by the officer for possibly shoplifting and cut the officer at about 4 p.m., sheriff’s spokeswoman Sgt. Kim Myers said.
The man got into an older model burgundy Oldsmobile and left, Myers said. Two other men reportedly were with him, she said. Anyone with information can call crimestoppers at (888) CRIME-SC.
Two teenagers were cited for possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of tobacco Oct. 9 after a security officer at SuperTarget, 14333 S. Hwy. 13, received a complaint of someone smoking marijuana. The teens cited by police were two 16-year-old boys from Prior Lake.
A Sears department store employee stole more than $500 from cash registers, police said. Nicole Solomon, 19, of 53 Bowers St., stole the money from her register between Oct. 5 and 6, police said. Store security determined four days later that Solomon was stealing, police said.She faces a class B felony charge of theft by unauthorized taking.
Matteson IL
Wallet Stolen A woman’s wallet containing $40 and credit cards was stolen while she was shopping Oct. 15 at Wal-Mart, 21410 Cicero Ave.
Retail Theft Gina M. Simari, 17, of Lansing, was charged with retail theft after stealing eight video games totaling $369 on Oct. 16 from Target, 4647 Promenade Way, police said.
Nashua NH
Samantha Oliveira, 17, of 90 Old Burbank Road, Washington, on a charge of Shoplifting.
Lenoir County NC
Donna Marie Parks, 38, 2202 Briarfield Drive, Kinston, Oct. 13, misdemeanor shoplifting. Bond: None listed. Arresting officer: E. Braden.
Freemont NE
A Fremont teenager was arrested Saturday night for underage drinking after he was witnessed driving into a curb, Fremont Police reported.
Jared Stricker, 19, was charged with theft by shoplifting, a Class II misdemeanor, and minor in possession, a Class III misdemeanor.
Lt. Detective Greg Chamberlain said someone called police to warn that Stricker was driving and just struck a curb. When officers stopped him at 10:26 p.m. they found him to have shoplifted alcohol from Food 4 Less.
ST. Mary County MD.
Dfc. J. Kirkner responded to a theft complaint (shoplifter) at the K-Mart in California. Investigation revealed the store security officer was detaining a subject for theft of several DVDs. The detained subject provided a name, however, further investigation revealed the subject provided both the security officer and Dfc. Kirkner with a false name. The subject was eventually identified as Jonathan David Elkins, 21, of Mechanicsville. Mr. Elkins was arrested and charged with theft less then $500.00 and false statement to a police officer.
Salem NH
Vicki Gonzalez, 27, 15 Loughan St., Lawrence, Mass., charged with shoplifting,
Athens GA.
An Athens man’s attempt to steal a $2 candy bar Saturday led to felony charges after he assaulted two employees of an Eastside grocery store, Athens-Clarke police said.
Dennis Finch, 50, of 315 Coleridge Court, was charged with battery, simple battery and theft by shoplifting after he was caught just before 3:30 p.m. attempting to conceal the candy bar by the manager of the Lexington Road Piggly Wiggly, police said.
Finch shoved a second employee to the floor as she tried to block him from leaving the store and attempted to stab the manager with a pen during a struggle, police said.
Elgin IL
A security guard at a store in the 800 block of Randall Road called police after a man he suspected of shoplifting threatened to “stick” the guard, police reported.
Bensalem PA
Kortini Spinelli, 19, 6700 block Eastwood St., Philadelphia, 9 p.m., Fri, retail theft at Macy’s, Neshaminy Mall, released on $5,000 unsecured bail.
Huntington WV
Donna J. Stanley, 39, of Milton was arrested on a felony warrant charging third-degree shoplifting at Municipal Court located in Huntington Police headquarters in the 600 block of 10th Street.
Fayetteville AR
Cheryl Evette Garrette, 37, of 5410 Timberland Drive in Little Rock was arrested Sept. 23 on a felony charge of shoplifting.
Stephanie Frances Colon, 20, of an unknown numeric address on Lakeridge Court, Fort Myers, was arrested on a complaint of petty theft/shoplifting.
at approximately 8:13 p.m., officers received a report of a shoplifting in progress at BJ’s Wholesale Club. Responding officers met with BJ’s loss prevention officers, who had 42-year-old John Clark and 48-year-old Bruce Adams of Jersey City in custody.
at approximately 5:18 p.m., officers received a report of shoplifting at Staples on Route 17 North. The suspected shoplifter had already left the store upon the officers’ arrival, making off with a TomTom GPS unit valued at $250, according to a store worker. The individual was a male observed wearing a baggy, hooded camouflage jacket and a hat. To remove the GPS, he had apparently melted one of the brackets holding the unit to the display case.
FRANKLIN OH – A Florida woman was arrested Friday at 1:19 p.m. after police said she shoplifted at Bob’s Stores on East Central Street in Franklin.
Courtney Antwan Khouri, 18, of 3063 Anquilla Ave., Clermont, Fla., was charged with shoplifting by concealing merchandise, police said.
FRAMINGHAM MA
A Marlborough man just missed being charged with a felony on Sunday when the items police said he is alleged to have stolen were worth 41 cents less than the $250 threshold.
Reginald D. Evans, 43, was charged with his third shoplifting offense after he was caught stealing a stereo system and a DVD player from Wal-Mart, police spokesman Lt. Paul Shastany said.
Taunton MA.
Police arrested Whitney Farrell, 20, 9 Hilltop Acres Drive, Lakeville, for shoplifting in Kohl’s.
Santanna Nicole Cannon, 20, 1607 Fleming St., Kinston, Sept. 30, misdemeanor shoplifting. Bond: $500. Arresting officer: S. Archie.
Alamogordo NM
Christina Hopkins, 24, of 5 Yeates St., was arrested for alleged shoplifting at Wal-Mart. Hopkins is alleged to have tried to leave the store without paying for merchandise. She was being held in the Otero Count Detention Center
Brian A Sullivan, 32, of 108 Sierra Blanca Ave., Tularosa, was arrested for alleged shoplifting at Wal-Mart. Sullivan is alleged to have left the store without paying for merchandise. He is being held in the OCDC pending his court appearance in Municipal Court.
MURRIETA CA —- Four men were arrested Monday night after reportedly selling stolen clothing from a car parked outside a fast-food restaurant, police said
Putnam County TN
Gladys Marie Melton was reported as trying to return a phone to Wal-Mart under suspicious circumstances. A search of her purse later turned up hypodermic needles and an outstanding warrant. She was cited for the drug paraphernalia and transported to the Putnam County Jail on the outstanding warrant.
Wendy Ann Thompson was cited for Shoplifting at Kohl’s on W. Jackson. Ms. Thompson was trying to take clothes without paying for them.
Amy brown was cited for Shoplifting at Sears on W. Jackson street.
Helen Elizabeth West was cited for Shoplifting on Dubois Road at JC Penneys. Ms. West was cited for trying to take clothes and shoes without paying for them
Cammy S. Allison was cited for Shoplifting at JC Penny’s on Dubois road
ST. Mary County MD.
St. Mary’s Sheriff Dfc. J. Logalbo responded to Wal-Mart in California for a report of a shoplifter. Investigation revealed Elmer Garcia, 20 of Great Mills and Edgar Caceres-Funez, 26 of Great Mills, stole a pair of “George” earrings.
Theresa M. Campbell, 28, 5770 Sweetwood Drive, Apt. F, was charged Tuesday afternoon with petit larceny. Campbell allegedly tried to steal a Mountain Dew, a block of butter and a sugar cookie from Wal-Mart on South Transit Road. She was stopped by store security, the report said. She was released on an appearance ticket and is due Oct. 14 in Lockport Town Court.
Warrensburg, Mo.
Zachary Thomas Jones, 19, of 201 E. Market St., was arrested at 1:06 p.m. Sept. 16 at Walmart on charges of stealing/shoplifting between $50 and $100, according to Warrensburg Police Department reports
PENNSVILLE NJ
Jamilah B. McCoy, 21, and Lourdes M. Alicea, 25, both of Salem, were arrested Oct. 4 at 12:50 p.m. and charged with shoplifting and complicity at Wal-Mart, according to police.
McCoy allegedly shoplifted $140.32 worth of unpaid merchandise while Alicea acted as a “look-out” during the crime, police said. At police headquarters, McCoy was formally charged with shoplifting and Alicea was charged with complicity, police said. Both were released pending court. Wal-Mart retained all the merchandise.
City of Lockport NY.• SHOPLIFTING: Christopher M. Howard, 20, 6367 Robinson Road, Apt. 11, was charged early Wednesday with petit larceny. Howard allegedly tried to steal several items from a store on South Transit Street about 2 a.m. Officers arrived and found the items, worth $29.27, in Howard’s pockets, the report said. Howard reportedly tried to hang himself in a cell at the Lockport Police Department. Constant supervision was started, the mental health department was notified, and he was transferred to Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, the report said.
Gurnee IL
•Lakshmi Sayala, 35, 1553 Acorn Court, Gurnee, was arrested around 12:25 p.m. Oct. 1 and charged with retail theft after a security agent for Sears Grand, 6136 Route 132, saw her take a pair of shoes valued at $75 and leave without paying, police said. A court date was not available.
Vista County CA.
Vista deputies blocked a freeway lane Tuesday afternoon as they arrested two shoplifting suspects at gunpoint on state Route 78.
A security officer at Target on University Avenue reported about 3 p.m. that a man and woman had been using box cutters to open video game packages and were stuffing the games into the woman’s purse. The guard followed them out of the store and saw them leave in a green Jeep Cherokee, sheriff’s Lt. Anthony Ray said.
Deputies pulled over the Jeep on the freeway near Emerald Drive about 3:30 p.m. The driver stopped on the right shoulder and surrendered along with the passenger. Ray said the woman was arrested, but he wasn’t sure if the man was jailed after being detained. The right freeway lane was blocked for about 20 minutes.
Ventura County CA
A suspected shoplifter was arrested on suspicion of robbery and assault with a deadly weapon early this morning after he allegedly assaulted several people who tried to stop him from leaving a Ventura pharmacy, police said.
Matt Blair Oliver, 20, was arrested about 4 a.m. after he allegedly struck two CVS Pharmacy employees with a cane as they tried to stop him from leaving the store at 5900 Telegraph Road in Ventura, said Det. James Beautrow of the Ventura police.
The staff members who were struck suffered minor injuries, Beautrow said.
The scuffle ensued after store security observed Blair Oliver allegedly trying to steal items from the store, said the detective
Columbia MO.
Police are investigating a reported shoplifting of thousands of dollars’ worth of clothing from a lingerie store last month at Columbia Mall.
Officers at about 6 p.m. on Sept. 28 were called to Victoria’s Secret at the mall, 2300 Bernadette Drive. Columbia police Sgt. Dan Beckman said surveillance images show multiple women stealing dozens of articles of clothing including lounge wear, pajama pants and T-shirts.
“A huge amount of stuff was shoplifted,” Beckman said. “They grabbed everything they could get their hands on, it looked like.”
The stolen merchandise is valued at $8,224.77. Beckman said no lingerie was listed among the shoplifted items.
Beckman said a police report did not indicate how many suspects were involved or how the women managed to shoplift so many items.
A manager who answered a phone call to the store today declined to talk about the incident
Salisbury MD Police received a call to respond to the Sears Department Store at the Centre at Salisbury for the report of a shoplifter. Upon arrival, the officers met with store security who advised that employees of the store had observed the below listed suspect attempt to take property from the store without making payment.
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