On 12/29/23 at 12:34 PM, Oglethorpe Mall Security Lieutenant Kenneth Wands, Security Corporal Sabrina Pacheco, and Savannah Police Officers Coleman, Lewis and Alizai responded to Zale’s Diamond Store in reference to a theft by sudden snatching where a male subject dressed in a FedEx uniform snatched a 6-carat diamond 14-karat white gold ring set valued at $12,499.99 and fled the store, exiting through the Zale’s Entrance. Upon locating the subject via CCTV footage, the subject was observed entering a dark blue sedan, which quickly departed property onto Hodgson Memorial Drive. Two fingerprints were recovered from the area where the subject allegedly was and were admitted into evidence. Lieutenant Wands, Corporal Pacheco, Security Dispatch Corporal Franklin Brown, and Security Officer Christian Claudio attempted to identify the getaway vehicle, which they identified as a dark blue 2016 Scion iA. At the same time, an off-property retailer contacted Dispatch Corporal Brown with additional information regarding the subject, including a viable facial photograph of the suspect from an attempted theft at their store, mere minutes before the sudden snatching at Zale’s. The information from the off-property retailer and the vehicle make and model were forwarded to Corporal Herron to assist in the investigation.
On 1/7/24 at 4:00 PM, Augusta Mall Security Dispatch was notified by SB Jewelers in reference to a potential shoplifting at SB Jewelers where a male suspect allegedly stole an Audemars Piguet watch valued at approximately $80,000. Security Lieutenant David Callaway and Security Officer Stephanie Chambers responded, and Richmond County Sheriff’s deputies were requested to respond as well. CCTV footage was found of the suspect, who K9 Handler Matthew Sardelis recognized as matching the description of the subject from Oglethorpe Mall (except in different attire) fleeing through the Food Court to his car, a dark-colored sedan, resembling a Scion iA.
On 1/18/24, Savannah Police Detective Corporal Herron arrived at Oglethorpe Mall Security Dispatch to receive a copy of CCTV footage in relation to the incident from 12/29/23. While retrieving the footage, Corporal Herron stated that a suspect had been taken into custody and was linked to the 1/7/24 theft from Augusta Mall. Corporal Herron added that the information gathered from the off-property retailer, the CCTV footage and identification of the getaway vehicle, and the connection of the thefts at Oglethorpe Mall and Augusta Mall were instrumental in the arrest of the suspect. Thanks to the Oglethorpe Mall Security and Augusta Mall Security staff’s diligent work, collaborative efforts, and communication with their respective police agencies, the criminal investigation led to the successful identification and arrest of a serial sudden-snatching thief. Well done, teams!
