Suspected parking lot thief arrested

Heather Harris
Register News Writer

September 03, 2008 08:17 am

— An alleged thief who roamed parking lots of local businesses looking for ill-gotten gains has been nabbed by local police.
Michael David Jansen, 29, of Silver Creek Drive in Berea, was arrested Friday by Richmond Police Department officers in connection with several car break-ins which resulted in the thefts of credit cards and other personal belongings.
Calls about the crimes first reached local police on Thursday when two victims reported they had items stolen from their vehicles while parked at a business at 312 Jason Drive.
“One victim reported that $135 in cash was stolen from the console of her vehicle and the other victim stated that a checkbook, credit card and his driver’s license had been taken from his car,” Sgt. Willard Reardon said.
Shortly after the thefts, the suspect, later identified by police as Jansen, utilized the stolen credit card.
“He purchased a pair of earrings at Underground Jewelry at 108 E. Main Street for $742,” Reardon said. “Jansen then took the earrings to a local pawn shop and pawned the items for $125.”
Jansen attempted another purchase at Gem Ray Jewelers on the Eastern Bypass, Reardon said, but the transaction was not completed.
He was located the next day by Detective Sgt. Rodney Richardson, interviewed and arrested.
Jansen is charged with fraudulent use of a credit card over $100, theft by deception under $300 and theft by unlawful taking under $300.
He is lodged in the Madison County Detention Center in lieu of $1,500 cash bond.
Heather Harris can be reached at hharris@richmondregister.com or by phone at 624-6694 or 893-2341.