‘Somebody’s gonna die’: Ohio sheriff sends $5K invoice to shopping center for reward in shoplifting case

By Joanna Putman
Police1

BUTLER COUNTY, Ohio — An Ohio sheriff is urging a shopping center to pay a $5,000 reward for the arrest of a shoplifting suspect following what he alleges is a lapse in security measures and a failure to keep shoppers safe, WCPO reported.

The ex-officer pleaded not guilty to charges of killing a woman he is accused of sexually exploiting when she was underage after she told him she was pregnant

Officers spoke with the suspect and used less lethal options in an attempt to de-escalate the situation before the shooting occurred

“To get woke up at 3:12 in the morning that four police cars are on fire…my heart sunk to my stomach. I’ve never had that call before.” McKeesport Police Chief Mark Steele said

The man swung a knife at the Stonington Police Officer’s head; he ended up striking the officer in the face with only his hand

On August 21, two women reportedly stole $2,300 worth of clothing from Dick’s Sporting Goods at the shopping center. One woman was arrested on Aug. 27, while the second suspect remains at large.

Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones, in a Facebook video posted on August 23, highlighted the frequent calls his office receives from the center, citing close to 150 calls in the last two months alone, with the majority related to shoplifting or theft.

Following Roberts’ arrest, Jones released another video stating, “I’m gonna go ahead and charge the Liberty Mall for the $5,000 reward. They should have to pay this, they don’t do the proper security out there, they don’t take care of it. Somebody’s gonna die.”

Jones’s office subsequently invoiced the shopping center for the reward. In response to inquiries about safety and security, Liberty Center’s marketing manager, Alexis Bolton, emphasized the shopping center’s commitment to safety.

“At Liberty Center, the safety and security of our patrons, tenants, and employees is very important to us. We take any concerns regarding safety seriously and continuously evaluate and enhance our security measures in collaboration with local law enforcement and private security experts.”

Liberty Center also confirmed its security program involves private personnel and off-duty sheriff’s deputies, financed entirely by the center. The center has not yet responded to the sheriff’s office regarding the payment of the $5,000 reward.

Sheriff Jones stated that remains committed to addressing shoplifting aggressively in Butler County.

“I’m not gonna put up with it, but we’re going to arrest you, and we’re gonna find you, and we’re gonna charge you with a felony.”