Police in Austin, Texas, have arrested nine individuals suspected of being involved in multiple theft incidents at retail stores like Target, Kohl’s, and Lowe’s. The arrests were made close to the Lakeline Mall during a focused effort to combat shoplifting as the holiday shopping season kicks off.
In one case, four people were allegedly attempting to hide merchandise that was not paid for at Kohl’s inside an empty baby stroller.
According to the Austin Police Department, the suspects abandoned a stroller as they attempted to flee but were swiftly captured by the police outside the store.
Police recovered around $1,100 in merchandise from the stroller and seized another $1,200 in stolen goods found in their vehicle.
In one of the incidents, a man and a woman were apprehended in the parking area of a Target store. The man, identified as Donovan Clausen, 23, and known to be a repeat offender, allegedly left the store with stolen goods worth $614. Store employees intervened, leading to his attempt to escape.
He met up with a woman, Christina Shell, 44, at his car, and police say they found $1,050 in stolen jewelry and beauty items from Target and Kohl’s inside, as well as narcotics.
Clausen was charged with one count of theft and one count of unlawful possession of a controlled substance.
Shell was charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance.
Christina Shell was charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance and Donovan Clausen was charged with one count of theft and one count of unlawful possession of a controlled substance. (Austin Police Department)
In the last case, another “high-value repeat offender” was caught after he allegedly fled in his vehicle with a woman.
The man, Martin Morales, 54, had allegedly abandoned a cart full of unpaid items when he was confronted by Target employees as he left the store and fled to his car.
Martin Morales was arrested for theft and state jail felony after he was stopped by police. Crystal Overby, who was allegedly driving the vehicle, had an active warrant for her arrest. (Austin Police Department)
Morales was arrested for theft and state jail felony after he was stopped by police. Crystal Overby, who was allegedly driving the vehicle, had an active warrant for her arrest.
