Simmie Shelton booking photo
VACAVILLE — Following a police investigation that has spanned the last two months, a Sacramento man was arrested on Thursday, January 14, on suspicion of numerous thefts at a Vacaville Kohl’s department store totaling more than $3,000 in property.
Simmie Shelton, 41, was taken into custody for his alleged role in four thefts at the Kohl’s located on the 500 block of Orange Drive. He was arrested while driving away from a residence in Sacramento on the 3500 block of 40th Street.
Police had earlier obtained a warrant to search the premises at the Sacramento residence and were able to find evidence that linked Shelton to the thefts.
Chrissy Phillips (L) and Jennifer Vaughn (R)
He is one of three suspects police have been looking for. The other two are Chrissy Phillips, 36, and Jennifer Vaughn, 21, both of Sacramento. They have been dubbed the “Kohl’s bandits.”
The thefts began on November 30, 2015, when Shelton allegedly stole approximately $500 worth of shoes. Two weeks later, on December 15, he returned with Phillips and the two stole another $1,000 worth of merchandise before sneaking out through the store’s back emergency exit.
When Shelton was arrested last week, a passenger in his vehicle, Alisha Sponsler, 32, was arrested on separate charges that included identity theft and heroin possession. She was booked into Sacramento County Jail. Vacaville Police said the Sacramento Police Department’s SWAT team assisted in these arrests. No other arrests were made from the Sacramento residence.
Meanwhile, Phillips and Vaughn remain at large. Police are asking for the public’s help in locating them and are asking that anyone with information to call the Vacaville Police Officer Lisa Sampson at (707) 469-4851, or Detective Bryan Larson at (707) 469-4823.
