Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Two Year Target Investigation Leads To Arrest Of Lawrenceburg Man
A two-year investigation into a series of shoplifting incidents at a Brentwood Target store culminated with the arrest of a Lawrenceburg man Tuesday.
Asset Protection Managers first initiated the investigation on May 4, 2008 after witnessing a shoplifting incident. They report that the man entered the store, made his way to the automotive department and removed an empty Target shopping bag from his pocket.
Video surveillance showed that the man walked to a shelf and selected two Blue Tooth car stereo systems, valued at $399.99, and placed them inside the bag. Afterwards, reports show, the man walked to the front of the store and exited, making no attempt to pay for the items.
Reports further show that the man walked to his car in the parking lot and placed the bag in the trunk. He then re-entered the store for a time. When the man left the store, an employee of the Asset Protection division was able to obtain his license plate number.
A check revealed that the car was registered in Columbia. He then contacted detectives with the Columbia Police Department and forwarded a photo of the man. One detective was able to identify the man, indicating that she was familiar with him, as she had dealt with him regarding shoplifting incidents in the Columbia area.
Although a warrant was issued against the suspect, Christopher William Dobek, 28, of 813 Seventh Street, Lawrenceburg, it remained unserved until Tuesday. Warrants were also issued against the man relating to four subsequent shoplifting incidents at the same store.
A theft warrant was issued through Davidson County courts against Dobek after authorities noticed him shoplifting merchandise at the same Target store on Old Hickory Boulevard on February 7, 2010. On that occasion, security personnel noted that he entered the store empty-handed, then obtained an empty shopping bag from one of the checkout lanes.
Dobek reportedly made his way to the electronics department where he selected a compact disc from a shelf and carried it to the electronics counter. Dobek allegedly used the equipment at the empty counter to deactivate the security device, then moved to another shelf and took a flip camcorder.
He placed both into the bag along with some unidentified items, then exited the store “making no attempt to pay for them.” Authorities indicate the alarm sounded as Dobek left, that but he continued to his car in the lot and left.
Dobek allegedly returned to the store on February 21, pilfering two Kodak cameras valued at $240.00, and again on February 22 when he allegedly stole one Kodak camera. On that date he is seen on video leaving the store with a bag of merchandise for which he did not pay.
Dobek was served with the five theft warrants Tuesday, issued through Davidson County courts. The warrants were served at the Lawrence County Jail where he was held to await transport to Davidson County.
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