Media

Memphis Grocer Facing Charges Following Raid By Sheriff’s Office “ALERT” Squad

Release Date: September 10, 2004

A midtown Memphis grocery store owner has been arrested for buying stolen property and running an illegal gambling operation from his store at 2473 Poplar at Hollywood.

“Our deputies continue to send a clear message to people who are involved in illegal business activity in Shelby County. Stolen property takes a tremendous toll on the local economy. We will continue to be aggressive in our investigation of these types of crimes,” said Shelby County Sheriff Mark H. Luttrell, Jr.

Deputies took Wendell Kaku, 52, of Memphis, into custody last evening following a “sting” by detectives with the Sheriff’s Office ALERT Squad. ALERT stands for Area Law Enforcement Retail Team.

ALERT Squad Deputies specialize in shoplifting, stolen property, illegally copied movies and music albums and counterfeiting cases. The team is made up of almost 50 area retailers and law enforcement agencies who work with the Sheriff’s Office to share information about retail thefts.

In last night’s arrest, investigators say Kaku had purchased 49 cans of baby formula. Investigators also discovered that Kaku was running an illegal gambling operation at the store.

In that scheme, Deputies say store customers could receive a raffle ticket if they bought ten dollars worth of merchandise. Each week, a drawing was held among the ticket-holders. The winner would receive cash.

Wendell Kaku has been charged with two felonies:

• Theft of Property Over $500.
• Aggravated Gambling Promotion

Sheriff’s Deputies and Agents with the Tennessee Department of Revenue say their investigation of Kaku’s business is continuing.

In the past several months, the Sheriff’s Office ALERT Squad has arrested more than 40 people and recovered almost a quarter of a million dollars worth of stolen property.

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