Dickson City cops seek retail thieves

Dickson City police are asking for the public’s help identifying two men who allegedly stole gaming equipment from Target in the borough and in Wilkes-Barre Twp.

The department posted photos of the men to Facebook on Wednesday, indicating the two stole video games from the store using magnetic keys to remove them from security devices and putting them in a satchel.

Police valued the games at about $470.

With 30,000 followers, the department’s Facebook page has been a useful tool in identifying suspects for nearly a decade, according to police Officer Michael Fredericks.

“We only have about 6,000 people living in Dickson City, so that’s a lot of followers,” Fredericks said.

Lately, the posts have been a bit less successful because thieves are sometimes transient, coming into the area from New Jersey, New York City or other areas, stealing items for resale and then leaving, he said.

So, when Fredericks noticed Wilkes-Barre Twp. police had reposted the post saying, “Our friends strike again with the same Man Purse,” he believed it would increase the number of people viewing the post and make it more likely for the duo to be caught.

Wilkes-Barre Twp. police originally posted similar photos of the same two men on May 6. That post indicates the two had stolen video games from the store and fled in a gold sedan.

Fredericks said the Dickson City post worked the way it was supposed to and the investigation is well underway. He contacted the Wilkes-Barre Twp. Police Department and shared information with them.

Once a suspect or suspects is arrested, the post is removed, Fredericks said.

Fredericks said there are a variety of motivations for shoplifting. For example, some mothers will steal baby food and diapers for their children. And some people do steal food for their families. But, instead of buying ground meat, they often steal higher-priced items, like lobster, Fredericks said.

Others purchase small, big-ticket items, from Lowe’s or Home Depot, which they can quickly turn around for cash, Fredericks said.

Posting to Facebook to request help is not without some challenges, Fredericks said. For example, sometimes a woman will contact the department to say she believes a suspect is her ex-boyfriend, when the only thing the two have in common is brown hair, Fredericks said.

But after someone has been identified as a possible suspect, the investigating police officer will get a copy of the person’s license or other official photo to positively identify the suspect before moving forward.

Fredericks said the Police Department works with loss prevention personnel from local stores to identify thieves.