This week, York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested two women in separate Tabb Walmart shoplifting incidents. James City County Police received several reports of phone scams, and residents of three James City County homes reported break-ins.
York County
YPSO: Two People Arrested in Separate Tabb Walmart Shopliftings
A 26-year-old Newport News woman and a 32-year-old Yorktown woman were arrested last week in separate shoplifting incidents, authorities said.
Whitney J. White, the 26-year-old Newport News resident, attempted to steal clothing and makeup valued at more than $200 from the Tabb Walmart on Nov. 19, according to Lt. Dennis Ivey of the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office.
White was stopped by Walmart employees. When deputies arrived, White gave them a false identification, Ivey said. When searched, White was found with a white substance suspected to be cocaine in her pocket.
White was charged with larceny, falsely identifying herself to a police officer and possession of a controlled substance.
Belinda Falkner, a 31-year-old woman also from Newport News, was with White during the alleged shoplifting and was released on a summons for petit larceny, Ivey said.
In a separate incident, 32-year-old Erin Stark was arrested at the Tabb Walmart Nov. 20 after attempting to steal $300 worth of makeup, children’s clothing and a diaper bag, Ivey said.
Stark allegedly took a black and white diaper bag and began concealing the merchandise within the bag. She was stopped by security personnel in the store and charged with felony petit larceny.
James City County
JCC Police Receive Three Reports of Break-ins
Authorities are investigating reported break-ins at three James City County homes last week.
A resident of the Country Village Mobile Home Park off Pocahontas Trail returned home after about nine months away to find both her front and back doors had been damaged, said Stephanie Williams, a spokesperson with the James City County Police Department said.
The woman reported a TV, refrigerator, three DVD players, a stereo and a rocking chair — valued at a total of more than $700 — were missing.
A Settlers Mill resident reported Nov. 22 a break-in at his shed, Williams said. A $250 leaf blower was missing.
Another resident in the Rolling Woods neighborhood off Route 199 reported Nov. 22 her back door appeared to have been kicked in, but entry was not made and nothing appeared stolen, Williams said.
Williams said it is unclear whether the three reported break-ins were related to each other or to the reports of break-ins the police department received last week.
Five IRS Phone Scams Reported
Police have received five reports of James City County citizens receiving calls from people claiming to be IRS agents.
In each of the five incidents reported, none of the citizens sent any money, Williams said. The callers allegedly tell citizens they will be arrested if back taxes are not paid.
Other phone scams reported to the James City County Police Department this year include callers claiming to be a citizen’s grandson. The caller tells the person his or her grandson has been arrested and needs money for bail or for an attorney.
Another scam involves someone claiming to be an employee from Dominion Virginia Power and threatening to disconnect the person’s power unless the person loads a pre-paid money card and provides the card number.
Senior citizens are often targeted for scams over the phone, James City County Deputy Chief Steve Rubino said.
“We strongly discourage people from divulging personal information, including credit card and banking account numbers, to anyone over the telephone,” he said.
Lafayette High Student Accused of Disorderly Conduct
James City County Police have requested petitions for a 17-year-old boy after he allegedly threatened a staff member.
Williams said the student was being disorderly in a classroom around 1:45 p.m. Nov. 21. When a staff member overseeing the classroom at the time asked him to return to his assigned seat, the boy threatened to “knock him out” multiple times and continued being disruptive, according to Williams.
The boy’s name cannot be released due to his age. Police are asking the court to consider charging him with disorderly conduct and threats of bodily harm.
In Case You Missed It:
- The mother of a child left unattended at a busy York County intersection pleaded guilty to child neglect
- A 21-year-old man pleaded guilty to stealing more than $3,200 of clothing from Dicks Sporting Goods in York County
- A James City County man was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for sticking his finger down his child’s throat
- A man accused of killing a 14-year-old during a 2011 car crash in James City County pleaded not guilty