Shoplifting
On January 19th, 2024, at approximately 9:52 PM police was dispatched to 1501 Wagner Avenue, Walmart, in reference to a shoplifting complaint. The complainant advised that approximately 3 hours ago three subjects entered into the store and stole a 55” LG Television. The subjects were no longer at the scene and the item was removed from the store without payment. PO arrived to Walmart and spoke with Jodi Edger, the complainant and Loss Prevention Employee. Jodi advised that at approximately 6:30 PM an employee advised her they saw a Red Dodge Dart parked in the parking lot of the North side of the store near Lawn and Garden. The vehicle was running with the trunk open which looked suspicious and the employee advised the license plate was HKB5732. Jodi reviewed cameras and observed three subjects come into the store from the Dodge Dart at approximately 5:35 PM. There was one adult male subject and two adult female subjects. The subject walk through the store before the male walks by himself to the electronic section and selects a 55” LG QU7 Television. He puts the television in his cart and by himself walks to the lawn and garden section at 6:17 PM. He puts the television through the metal gates in the lawn and garden section. Then the two females meet up with him and they all three leave the store at approximately 6:23 PM. The three subjects then get the television and put it into the Dodge Dart before driving away without paying. PO was able to check the license plate through LEADS/NCIC and confirmed the owner to be a Brenda Mikolic. On January 23rd, 2024 PO was able to locate Brenda at her residence in the City of Greenville. Brenda advised that was her car at Walmart when the television was being stolen. Brenda advised that she was at Walmart with her mentally disabled son, David Condon, and her niece, Melody Schaar. Brenda advised that her son does not like to be told no and he asked her over and over about buying him the television and she told him no. Brenda then advised to him that he lives on his own and is an adult so if he wants to go steal the television then go ahead but she wasn’t going to help him and she told him it was a bad idea. Brenda let PO check inside her residence and PO was not able to locate the television. PO then went to David’s residence and located David. David advised that he did steal the television and it was inside his apartment. David let officers inside to retrieve the television. The television was damaged at the top and there was no box. David advised they left the box at Walmart so they could get the television inside the car. David tried to say that Brenda told him to steal the television but when PO asked him why the television was at his house he couldn’t explain. PO also asked David why he tried to put the television outside the other day during the rain and snow; David also could not give PO an answer. David admitted that it did not make sense for a brand new television to be outside. The television was located hidden behind David’s couch as if to hide it from being seen by his caregiver, Angie. PO also located Melody at her residence. Melody admitted that she wanted no part in stealing the television but knew David was the mastermind. Melody kept advising that you don’t tell David no cause he just keeps asking for things he wants over and over. Melody admitted that Brenda drove all three of them to Walmart and David was planning on stealing the television. Melody also admitted that her and Brenda told David numerous times that they did not want to assist in stealing the television. Melody admitted to David being the one who stolen the television from Walmart and he was the one who removed it from the box. The television was taken as evidence to the Greenville Police Department and placed into property with a DVD from the surveillance video.
Identity Theft
On January 26, 2024 at approximately 2:16 PM police responded to the Greenville Police Dept. in reference to a theft. PO spoke with the victim, Eric Pearce, in the department lobby. Eric stated that he had recently spoken with Chase Bank, 541 Wagner Ave, in reference to a fraudulent transfer from his bank account. Eric stated while checking the account on his phone, this morning, he realized that a separate account had been opened and that $17,750 was missing from his savings. Chase Bank advised the fraudulent account had been opened in Maryland in one of two locations on January 23. Eric advised that the suspect attempted to open the fraudulent account at 9245 Baltimore National Pike in Elliot City, MD 21042 and at 8903 Belair Rd. in Nottingham, MD 21236. Eric advised that one of these locations had denied the suspect to open the account. The suspect immediately went to the second location where they were able to open it. Eric is unsure which branch allowed the suspect to open the account at this time. The unknown suspect used Eric’s drivers license to verify his identification. Eric stated that shortly after this account was opened, the suspect attempted to transfer $17,750 from the original account to the fraudulent one. This occurred in three separate transactions in increments of $8,000, $4,950 and $4,800, emptying Eric’s savings. Chase Bank’s systems originally flagged these transactions as fraudulent but eventually allowed them to be transferred from the newly opened account to a pre-existing account not in Eric’s name. Eric advised that Chase Bank stated they will eventually reimburse him the stolen amount, when their investigation is finished. Eric also advised he has since frozen his credit and bank accounts. Eric filled out a written statement and a victim’s rights form that will be attached to this report. Eric also provided bank statements that will also be attached to this report. This case will need further investigation.
Agency Assist
On January 27, 2024 at approximately 8:14 PM police was dispatched to 307 Tillman Avenue in reference to an agency assist. PO was met outside by an individual who stated that someone inside the residence wasn’t breathing. As PO entered the residence he observed the involved person now known to him as William Lee Smith Jr. laying face up on the floor. William appeared to not be breathing. PO checked William for a pulse and found that he did not have one at which point PO began performing chest compressions on him. A short time later Greenville Rescue arrived on scene and started performing medical treatment on William. Greenville Rescue transported William to Wayne ER in an unknown condition. The residence was searched for any evidence of a crime and a straw was located on a table which was placed into property. No further contraband was located after searching the residence. Witnesses; Jason Spitler and Jamin Brenner stated that they had been with William at the residence before leaving for approximately 20 minutes. When they arrived back at the residence they found William unresponsive and not breathing. Jason and Jamin stated that William had been drinking heavily throughout the day. Jason and Jamin completed witness statements that will be attached to this report. Photographs were taken of the residence that will be attached to this report. No further follow up is needed at this time.
Animal Problem
On January 29, 2024 police responded to 613 East Fourth Street in reference to a barking dog complaint. PO observed a dog standing in the back yard of this residence. The dog was continuously barking and howling with no one around. PO spoke to complainant/victim, David Tinkham of 615 East Fourth Street which is next door. David advised the dog has been barking since 4:30 AM on today’s date. David advised the owners, Travis and Jamie Wilson leave most weekends and leave the dog home alone outside. PO attempted to make contact with Travis and Jamie and they were not home. PO contacted Travis and Jamie via telephone and advised their dog was barking. Travis advised they were out of town and would return later on this date. PO advised Travis and Jamie due to previous warning on January 6, 2024, PO would be citing them under Greenville city ordinance for barking dog. They stated they understood and requested an officer serve the citation to them at their residence today after 7 PM. On January 28, 2024 at 8:16 PM, a PO served Jamie Wilson her citation for barking dogs and gave her a copy. A PO gave Jamie Wilson a warning for barking dog on January 6, 2024. The victim completed a witness statement. The victim was also advised of his victim’s rights and victim rights from was completed.
Theft
On January 28, 2024 at approximately 6:51 hours police was dispatched to a theft that had occurred at Rural King 695 Wagner Ave earlier at 5:05 PM. PO I spoke to assistant store manager complainant, Nicole Fisher. Nicole said earlier around 5:00 PM her two cashiers Chelsea Briner and Robert Roth observed a male walk out of the store with a cart full of tools without paying for them. The male suspect was wearing a black ballcap, gray sweatshirt and gray sweatpants. The suspect was medium height and build. Robert said he saw the suspect approaching the exit door and asked to see his receipt. The suspect ignored Robert and walked out of the store with the tools in the cart which set off their security alarm. The suspect went to a gray sedan car parked around the middle of the lot. Chelsea said once he arrived at the car several subjects got out and they with the suspect put the tools in the car then left the store northbound on Wagner Ave. Robert filmed the gray sedan leaving the parking lot on his phone. No identification of the car could be made from the video. The video was sent to the PO’s city e-mail then forwarded to records. Nicole said it is unknown exactly what was stolen. Nicole said from the video it appeared two large deWalt boxes and two large Milwaukee boxes were in the cart as well as several smaller DeWalt and Milwaukee boxes. Images of the suspect from Rural Kings video surveillance was given to PO. They will be placed in the log for identification purposes. Nicole said she was not able to burn a copy of the video surveillance at this time but someone will be able to at a later date. When a copy is made Nicole said she will let me know so PO can place it in property.
Trash/Dumping
On 01/28/24, police was at 719 Front St. on several attempts to serve a tax summons to Tiffany Swan of that address. While on the property, PO noticed trash all around the property. The trash included pop cans, TV’s, tires, and misc. debris. At approximately 10:00 PM, PO made contact with Christopher Ritter of that address. He stated he was Swan’s boyfriend and that he was trying to clean. He stated the landlord, Gail Cooper, was supposed to be cleaning it up. PO advised him to contact her in the morning to get it worked out and cleaned up. Ritter was served a Trash Notice. A copy of the notice was also left in Cooper’s mailbox at 826 Russ Rd. PO took photographs of the trash and added them to this case. The Darke Co. Auditor’s site shows the entire property, including the former Greenville Glass, is listed under 705 Front St. owned by deceased Daniel Massie, Gail Cooper’s late husband. There is not a 719 Front St. listed as a formal address. A message was sent to SSD Delk and PO’s.