More thefts linked
to multi-county shoplifting spree
Thefts in Marion, Hillsboro, Eureka, and elsewhere may be related
Staff writer
A couple who allegedly stole merchandise Sept. 22 and 23 from Hillsboro Hardware and Bomgaars now are suspects in a Sept. 23 theft from Marion Ace Hardware.
Marion Police Chief Aaron Slater said Ace reported the theft Sept. 23 of two packs of Milwaukee batteries worth $229.
As Hillsboro police investigated thefts from Hillsboro Hardware, Greenwood County deputies called Hillsboro police and said deputies there recognized the suspects, Leigh A. Moore, 38, Augusta, and Michael A. Graham, 51, El Dorado, from security video posted online.
Moore and Graham were in the Greenwood County Jail in connection with theft Aug. 25 from Home Lumber and Supply in Eureka.
When they were arrested in Greenwood County, they had Bomgaars receipts from Sept. 22 and 23 in their car, deputies told Hillsboro police.
Bomgaars had not reported thefts, apparently because of a corporate policy, Hillsboro officer David Funk said. He began a theft report after he went to Bomgaars and talked to employees.
Moore and Graham are suspects in a string of thefts in multiple jurisdictions, Funk said.
“It sounds like everything they were stealing was high-dollar equipment and batteries,” Funk said. “I think there’s going to be a lot more thefts coming in. They seem to have covered a large territory.”
In Hillsboro, they are believed to have stolen nine items, mainly tools and batteries, together valued at $2,783, from Hillsboro Hardware and Bomgaars.
A report soon will be sent to county attorney Michelle Brown, Funk said. Police will ask for felony charges.
If more than three thefts occur in less than 72 hours, charges are bumped to a felony, Funk said.
In Greenwood County, Moore and Graham were charged last week with theft and conspiracy alleging that they collaborated to steal $1,049.95 worth of hand-tool batteries from the Eureka hardware store.
Greenwood County Sheriff Heath Samuels said that when Moore and Graham were arrested Sept. 24, they had returned to the store accompanied by another man, Dakota Sander. Employees recognized Moore and Graham.
Sander is not a suspect in the Hillsboro or Marion thefts.
Samuels said charges stemming from the Eureka thefts would be prosecuted by the attorney general’s office because of the number of thefts.
Slater said he doubted that the charges from Ace would go through the attorney general’s office.
“I’m going to talk with the county attorney about it,” Slater said.
Hillsboro Police Chief Jessey Hiebert said he had not heard that the Eureka case would be prosecuted by the state.
“We’re planning on local charges,” Hiebert said. “I will run it past the county attorney and see what she thinks Monday.”
Court records show that Graham was charged June 27 in Butler County with theft of laser levels, batteries, lumber jack pellets, belts, a ring, dog food, dog biscuits, T-shirts, shorts, and socks.