Published: July 06, 2009 08:05 am      

Police foil alleged tent theft scheme

A Corbin woman was one of two people charged by both Richmond and Berea police for receiving stolen property Tuesday in connection with an alleged theft scheme from Walmart.

Sandra R. Tye, 33, of Corbin, and a man identified as Jason Goodman, age and address unknown, were arrested after Richmond police say they attempted to steal two tents from the Richmond Walmart.

Police say Tye and Goodman entered the store and purchased two tents, then left the store. Tye then re-entered the store with her receipt from the purchase, put two more tents in her cart, then went to the front of the store, purchased a soda and showed the original receipt in an attempt to make employees believe she had already paid for the tents, said Sgt. Willard Reardon, Richmond Police Department spokesman.

Tye was able to leave the store before employees were able to detain her, but employees were able to describe her vehicle to police, Reardon said.

Richmond police then notified Berea police, who detained the duo for allegedly attempting the same scheme at the Berea Walmart, Reardon said.

Tye and Goodman each were charged with two counts of receiving stolen property, less than $500, for both the Richmond and Berea thefts. Both were lodged in the Madison County Detention Center.

Forged checks arrest

A Keri Ann Drive woman was arrested June 29 and charged with second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument for allegedly stealing and passing two checks at Walmart.

Lori Griffith, 34, is accused of stealing the checks from a checkbook that had been lost at the store June 12, then passing the checks at the store in the amounts of $299 and $400, police said.

The checkbook had been recovered and returned to its owner by store employees shortly after it was discovered to be missing, Reardon said, and the victim did not realize the checks had been stolen until June 19.

Griffith was identified as a suspect in the case and was arrested June 29 by Officer Greg Marcum following an interview at the Richmond Police Department.

She was lodged in the Madison County Detention Center.

Other crimes

• A construction trailer filled with electrical equipment and supplies was reported stolen Wednesday from Richmond Centre.

The trailer, belonging to Rogers Electrical, was parked at the construction site for the Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant under construction at the complex.

It was described as a white Haulmark trailer, 6 feet by 12 feet, with steel wheels and whitewall tires. The front and back of the trailer are marked with Rogers Electrical stickers.

The trailer held electrical parts, light fixtures, scaffolding, conduit and fittings, and was valued at $3,500.

• About $400 in power tools were reported stolen Wednesday from a rental property under renovation in the 300 block of W. Blair Avenue.

The rental home was unlocked at the time of the theft, the victim told police.

Reported stolen were a Porter & Cable reciprocating saw, power saw and drill as well as other miscellaneous tools.

• Three incidents of criminal mischief were reported June 29 and 30.

An employee of Cars of Kentucky on Big Hill Avenue reported June 29 that two headlights valued at $250 had been stolen from a car on the lot over the weekend.

Residents in the 100 block of Manna Drive and the 200 block of McDaniel Avenue reported June 30 that vandals had punctured tires on their vehicles.

All four tires were punctured on a vehicle on Manna Drive, causing $640 in damage, while only one tire was punctured on McDaniel Avenue, causing $300 in damage.

• A N. Second Street resident reported Wednesday that his home in the 400 block had been broken into and $800 in car stereo speakers and clothing had been stolen.

Police said the door to the residence could be opened despite being locked.

Taken in the burglary were two Audiobahn 12-inch speakers, two Kicker 10-inch speakers in a box and numerous clothing items.

• Several thefts from parked vehicles were reported Tuesday and Wednesday to police.

A Blackwell Court resident reported Tuesday that $500 in video games, CDs and DVDs were stolen from his unlocked car in the 1000 block.

Also on Tuesday, two apartment residents in the 200 block of Shamrock Lane reported their unlocked cars had been broken into and items were taken.

One resident reported a roll of nickels had been taken from her vehicle, while the other reported a green and cream-colored purse containing personal identification had been stolen.

On Wednesday, a Highland Lakes Drive resident reported a set of Callaway golf clubs and a black Apple iPod were stolen from his unlocked car in the 300 block. The items were valued at $1,425.

Police also responded to three thefts from unlocked cars in the 500 and 600 blocks of Hampton Way on Wednesday. Reported stolen from the cars were a black 80-gigabyte Apple iPod, an Audiobahn amplifier and two Infinity 12-inch subwoofers, a bottle of cologne and a black leather wallet containing personal identification.

In a separate theft Wednesday in the 600 block of Hampton Way, $200 in cash and an Escort radar detector were reported stolen from a parked car.

• A Samsung cell phone and $35 in cash were reported stolen Tuesday from the purse of a Galaxy Bowling Center patron while she was in the restroom. The items were valued at $435.

Anyone with information about these crimes is asked to call the Richmond Police Department at 623-1162 or 623-8911.

Brian Smith may be reached at bsmith@richmondregister.com or at 624-6694.