Tip uncovers
serial shoplifting
Staff writer
A tip from Eureka may have uncovered a shoplifting ring that hit Hillsboro businesses three times last week.
As Hillsboro police were investigating thefts Sept. 22 from Hillsboro Hardware, they were contacted by Greenwood County deputies.
The deputies said they had seen a social media post containing stills from the store’s security video. They thought the thieves resembled suspects in custody there for similar thefts Aug. 25 from Home Lumber and Supply in Eureka.
The suspects, Leigh A. Moore, 38, Augusta, and Michael A. Graham, 51, El Dorado, had receipts Sept. 22 and 23 from Bomgaars in their car when they were arrested.
According to police, the couple took more than they paid for.
Bomgaars had not reported thefts, but Hillsboro officer David Funk began a theft report after he went to Bomgaars and talked to employees.
Graham and Moore are suspects in a string of thefts in multiple jurisdictions, Funk said.
“It sounds like everything they were stealing was high-dollar equipment and batteries,” Funk said. “I think there’s going to be a lot more thefts coming in. They seem to have covered a large territory.”
A report soon will be sent to county attorney Michelle Brown, Funk said. Police will ask for felony charges.
If more than three thefts occur in less than 72 hours, charges are bumped to a felony, Funk said.
In Greenwood County, Moore and Graham were charged Monday with theft and conspiracy alleging that they collaborated to steal $1,049.95 worth of hand tool batteries from the Eureka hardware store.
Moore allegedly shoplifted the batteries while Graham allegedly distracted employees.
They are believed to have stolen nine items, mainly tools and batteries, together valued at $2,783, from Hillsboro Hardware and Bomgaars.
Court records also show that Graham was charged June 27 in Butler County with theft of laser levels, batteries, lumber jack pellets, belts, a ring, dog food, dog biscuits, T-shirts, shorts, and socks.