Sparks Police estimate that the Safeway off of Vista and Baring Boulevards has lost $100,000 worth of alcohol to theft in the last six months. That level of shrinkage, along with concerns from community members, is what prompted a theft sting last Thursday and Friday.
“(Theft) was occurring at a frequency that was way above normal,” Sergeant Wes Keller told 2 News on Tuesday.
He said that the department apprehended 11 adults and 15 minors in the operation, and officers saw an uptick in theft after school hours and then again after dark. Keller acknowledge that evidence does point to some students visiting the store after school to commit theft.
“We had heard from the community that that was the case. We did see groups of juveniles come into the store. We did observe several juveniles committing theft,” he said.
Read More: Allegations of Galena Student “Mob Robberies” Unfounded
City Attorney Wes Duncan said his message to the community is that Sparks is listening to citizens’ concerns and taking action. “We have a zero-tolerance policy for this,” he said. “If you’re going to come into this community, and you’re going to try to rip people off and steal, you’re going to be arrested, and you’re going to be prosecuted by the city attorney’s office to the fullest extent of the law.”
Duncan added that in the city attorney’s office, the goal isn’t only punishment, but also rehabilitation.
“If we can catch juveniles very young and deter them from doing that and maybe deterring them from crimes that escalate, that’s certainly a goal,” he said.
Keller described the sting as an educational opportunity for everyone involved – businesses, community members, the police department, and the adults and minors now facing the consequences of theft.
Original Story, October 21:
On October 19 and 20, the Sparks Police Department partnered with Safeway and Safeway Asset Protection to combat retail theft happening at the store located at 2858 Vista Blvd.
26 people were arrested in total over the two-day operation.
The following arrests were made on Thursday, October 19:
- Dustin Jenkins, 43 – Arrested for petit larceny (misdemeanor) and possession of a controlled substance (felony).
- Edward Lahnala, 59 – Was contacted by officers in the parking lot of Safeway while he waited for Dustin Jenkins. Mr. Lahnala was arrested for an unrelated warrant.
- Julian Lanzra, 27, and Eluit Garcia, 42 – Both were arrested for petit larceny (misdemeanor). Mr. Lanzra was also arrested for an unrelated warrant.
Six juveniles were also arrested, cited, and released to their parents. The juveniles ranged from 11 to 15 years old. The charges associated with their arrests were petit larceny and minor in possession of alcohol.
The following arrests were made on Friday, October 20:
- Jennifer Boise, 48 – Arrested for petit larceny (misdemeanor) and possession of a controlled substance (felony). Ms. Boise was also arrested for two unrelated warrants.
- Corina Laramore, 44 – Arrested for petit larceny (misdemeanor).
- Elisha White, 19 – Arrested for petit larceny (misdemeanor).
- Aislinn Soares, 20 – Cited for minor in possession of alcohol (misdemeanor).
- Camille Littlejohn, 43 – Cited for petit larceny (misdemeanor).
- Malon Daniels, 41 – Arrested for petit larceny (misdemeanor).
- Destiny Walker, 27 – Arrested for petit larceny (misdemeanor) and possession of a controlled substance (felony).
Nine juveniles were also arrested on the second day. They were later cited and released to their parents. The juveniles ranged from 13 to 17 years old. The charges associated with these juvenile arrests were petit larceny and minor in possession of alcohol.
The Sparks Police Department says it plans to do more theft operations with other local businesses in the future.
