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Sheriff’s Office Detectives Arrest Video Store Employees for Stealing DVDs and Other Electronic Games

Release Date: May 24, 2004

Investigators with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office have arrested five of the eight employees who operate the Blockbuster video store in Parkway Village for stealing merchandise from the store at 3129 South Perkins Road.

The Sheriff’s Office ALERT program (Area Law Enforcement Retail Team) was responsible for discovering the missing items. The team, a partnership between Sheriff’s Office investigators and various retailers in Memphis and Shelby County, was made aware of the thefts after Blockbuster Security Division investigators realized the store was missing hundreds of DVDs, video tapes, electronic games and storage cases.

“Blockbuster employees, working with our detectives arrested almost the entire staff at the store. This is an excellent example of the success of the ALERT program and how the Sheriff’s Office is working in partnership with retailers to stop theft. Today, we send a clear message to thieves: If you steal from retail establishments in Shelby County, you will be caught,” said Shelby County Sheriff Mark H. Luttrell, Jr.

Investigators say the employees allegedly stole the items during the past several months. According to detectives, more than 500 DVSs, video tapes, electronic games and storage cases worth more than $6,000 were recovered at homes throughout Shelby County.

The manager of the store Jason Rea, 31, Rea has been charged with theft of property over $1000. Four other employees were also arrested and charged with theft of property under $500.00.

“It is difficult when employees are arrested on theft charges. However, this shows the importance of working in collaboration with law enforcement. The Sheriff’s Office ALERT program is an excellent resource to Blockbuster and other area retailers,” says Tim Dunlap, Loss Control Manager of Blockbuster.

Detectives say the investigation is continuing and more people may be arrested. The other people arrested were issued misdemeanor citations for booking in the next couple of weeks.

Since February, 2004, 15 people have been arrested and almost a quarter of a million dollars worth of stolen property has been recovered through the efforts of the Sheriff’s Office ALERT program.

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