Jonesboro police, working with the Arkansas Attorney General’s office, arrested more than a dozen people last week following an “organized retail crime blitz.”
Attorney General Tim Griffin announced Monday the arrests of 16 people on more than 60 charges, including theft, drug possession, evidence tampering, and forgery. He said five additional suspects were also identified.
“This operation shows our continued commitment to eradicating this type of crime in Arkansas,” Griffin stated. “We are working with law enforcement agencies and private sector partners across the state to gather intelligence, arrest perpetrators, and ultimately hold bad actors accountable.”
Jonesboro resident Patrick Stevens learned of the arrests and said he was shocked.
“Jonesboro didn’t used to be this way. We didn’t see too much crime. We did … but not how it is now,” he said.
The AG said the culprits are suspected of stealing from 13 stores, including Walmart, Walgreens, Target, Dollar General, TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, Lowe’s, Home Depot, Academy Sports, Kohl’s, and Burlington Coat Factory.
Griffin said many of the suspects would replace the barcode on an expensive item with a cheaper one. In one case, the suspects placed a $20 barcode on a $700 air conditioner.
“To hear that it was organized is the craziest part,” said Stevens. “I see this on TV in bigger cities, but here in town is absolutely insane.”
Griffin said the suspects weren’t just committing theft.
“Some of these suspects, we were also able to charge them with drug possession, tampering with evidence, forgery,” he said.
“I feel a lot safer, and hopefully it gets done quickly. Hopefully, the Jonesboro Police Department will get on top of it and nip it in the bud,” said Stevens.
“I am grateful to the investigators in my Special Investigations Division, particularly Gerald Harrelson, who is our dedicated organized retail crime investigator,” Griffin said. “I am also thankful for the support and cooperation of the Jonesboro Police Department, as well as 2nd Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Sonia Hagood,” said Griffin.