Two shoplifters arrested and charged with more crimes when trying to hide evidence in the patrol car
By: -----
Vacaville, CA - The Vacaville Police Department reported that its officers made multiple shoplifting arrests Thursday afternoon using technology from the Real Time Information Center.
Shortly before 5 p.m, according to a release from the department, dispatch answered a call from an employee at a store in the Premium Outlets reporting the theft of some merchandise.
“They noted some were stealing while others appeared to be acting as lookouts,” the release reads. “The caller provided helpful, detailed information as officers and Real-Time Information Center (RTIC) drone pilots headed to the area.”
An officer noticed a man and woman matching the suspects’ description and began a conversation with them, according to the release.
“Chivalry be damned, the male subject immediately fled on foot, leaving his lady friend behind, and was apprehended after a short foot chase,” the release reads.
Simultaneously, RTIC technology was used to find other shoplifters in the parking lot and to identify a getaway vehicle. The man initially contacted by police was found to have given a false name, and officers eventually identified him via a portable fingerprint reader, investigators said. One woman who was with him was found to have four outstanding warrants and was arrested under suspicion of having fentanyl in her purse.
“Another associate was placed under arrest for possession of methamphetamine and was captured on patrol vehicle camera retrieving and hiding a sock containing plastic baggies with drug residue, someone else’s driver’s license, and credit cards belonging to 4 other individuals. She handed it over to her friend, who had front handcuffs for medical reasons,” the release reads.
Police posted video of the chase and the women in the police car as well as an officer’s search of the vehicle that uncovered the hidden sock.
The male suspect was identified as Jason Wright, 45, of Garden Valley, who was booked into Solano County Jail on suspicion of resisting arrest, providing a false name to police and petty theft, and conspiracy. The women were identified as Sarha Nye, 26, of Auburn and Megan Larkin, 29, of Camino. Nye faces charges of possession of narcotics with two or more priors, and Larkin is charged with misdemeanor possession of narcotics, police said.
The release thanked store employees willing to work with the police.