4 Suspected Shoplifters Arrested while Driving Away in a Stolen Vehicle
Photo: scene of the crime
Moraga — Police responding to a shoplifting incident arrested four persons driving away in a stolen vehicle. This foursome allegedly took off without paying for merchandise and landed in jail—but not for the first time.
On February 12, Moraga police received a shoplifting report from a TJ Maxx store. All four suspects were seen leaving the Rheem Valley Shopping Center, located at 580 Moraga Road at 10:55 a.m.
Minutes later, Lafayette officers spotted the vehicle driving through their municipality. They pulled over the vehicle, detained the suspects and determined it had been reported stolen.
Moraga officers arrived on the scene and continued with the investigation. From inside the stolen vehicle, officers recovered stolen merchandise from TJ Maxx.
The suspects involved were later positively identified by witnesses for shoplifting at the store. All four from Oakland were arrested by Moraga PD and later booked at the Martinez Detention Facility.
Major A. Mack, 55; Jimmy Swearengin, 53; Tony Richard, 44; and 32-year-old Shirley Johnson are facing a variety of charges. These include conspiracy to commit crime, petty theft, vehicle theft, and probation violations.
Mack has previously been arrested 20 times, mostly for vehicle thefts and possession of illicit drugs. Richard has been arrested 17 times for vehicle thefts, receiving stolen property, elder abuse and illegal drugs. Likewise, Swearengin was also previously arrested and on parole.
And the woman, Johnson has seven prior arrests for burglary, grand theft and drug possession, among other offenses.
