Two women and a man with two-way radios and an apparent heroin addiction have been charged with at least one count of attempted larceny after a Friday, Feb. 6 incident at the Dixie Highway Farmer Jack store.
They may also be implicated in other thefts of wallets from local grocery stores, according to investigators.
Vanessa A. Gomez, 29, of Essexville; Marie E. Denman, 24, of Fenton; and Patrick M. Holloway, 27, of Fenton were arraigned last weekend, and will face Judge Dana Fortinberry in 52-2 District Court on Feb. 19, according to Oakland County Sheriff Detective Jerry DeRosia.
The count is a ‘high misdemeanor? carrying a potential two-year jail term. The two women faced full bond of $10,000, while Holloway was released on 10 percent of that amount, DeRosia said.
According to reports, Denman (who was carrying a baby) engaged a Clarkston woman in conversation about cooking at the meat counter. Gomez then removed the woman’s wallet from her purse, which was in the shopping cart basket.
The woman noticed the action, however, and confronted Gomez. With the help of store employees, both suspects were detained until deputies arrived at the store. They later discovered Holloway (described as Denman’s common-law husband) in a car in the store parking lot.
Holloway was taken into custody after it was discovered he was driving on a suspended license, reports said.
A search of the vehicle found syringes and small foil containers, and in an interview with police Denman allegedly admitted a $50 a day heroin habit.
Deputies also found all three suspects in possession of two-way radios.
While giving credit to the would-be victim and store employees, DeRosia said a distraction scenario such as that reported in the Feb. 6 incident is fairly easy and effective.
‘Unfortunately, people don’t pay attention while they’re shopping,? DeRosia said.
A similar incident appeared in Independence Township sheriff reports on Monday, Feb. 2 at the Farmer Jack store. While there may be further investigation, DeRosia on Monday said no further charges have been filed against the trio.