3 arrested on suspicion of looting Fresno County stores amid coronavirus outbreak
Three suspects have been arrested on suspicion of looting a Walgreens and a Save Mart in Kingsburg amid the coronavirus outbreak, police said Monday.
The suspects were identified by Kingsburg police as Ryan Tedesco, Erica Overton, and Brennon Overton, all of Ceres.
They were arrested for two counts of grand theft, two counts of possession of stolen property and two counts of felony drug possession, according to a department news release. The trio also faces four counts of misdemeanor drug violations and “felony looting during a state of emergency.”
On Friday, Kingsburg police officer Derek Gagnon was on patrol in the Kingsburg commercial business area when Walgreens’ employees reported a theft incident at the store. The employees provided details on the three suspects and their vehicle, according to the release.
“Officer Gagnon immediately conducted an enforcement stop,” the release said. “In the vehicle was a considerable amount of retail merchandise valued at over $3,000 including baby formula, diapers, bottled water, cosmetics, and perishable food items.”
As police continued their investigation, officers learned the trio was also connected to thefts at Save Mart in Kingsburg before the Walgreens’ thefts.
“Walgreens’ employees told Kingsburg Police that their shipments to small communities have been delayed during the crisis as they are prioritizing deliveries to more populated areas,” police said. “These shortages pose a significant impact to smaller communities and exacerbates the shortages for Kingsburg residents.”
Kingsburg police believe the trio may ave been responsible for other thefts in the North Valley and East Bay.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Kingsburg Police Department at 559-897-2931 or Valley Crime Stoppers at 559-497-7867.
This story was originally published March 23, 2020 at 6:10 PM.
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