Presented by Public Information Officer Corporal James O’Neil

New Castle, DE- The Delaware State Police Retail Theft Unit have arrested three women and charged them in connection with a string of thefts from home improvement stores which occurred throughout New Castle County since mid- September.

The initial investigation began on Thursday, September 15, 2016 at around 9:46 a.m., after troopers were called to the Lowe’s Home Improvement Store located at 1030 East Songsmith Drive, Bear for thefts of faucets. During the investigation it was discovered three unknown black female suspects had stolen high-end kitchen and bathroom faucets with a total value of over $20,000.00 in merchandise.

After detectives continued to look into the rash of thefts, information was obtained through investigative measures; examination of evidence and multiple interviews which identified three suspects working together in the thefts as Lakiesha S. Hargrow, 35 of Wilmington, Deerna Johnson, 27 of Pennsylvania and Geneara Shovall, 24 of Wilmington.

Detectives were able to link the suspects to the following thefts:

• Lowe’s 1030 East Songsmith Drive Bear, De.
• Lowe’s 2000 Ogletown Road Newark, De.
• Lowe’s 3100 Brandywine Parkway Wilmington, De.
• Lowe’s 2225 Hessler Boulevard New Castle, De.
• The Home Depot 2000 Peoples Plaza Newark, De.
• The Home Depot 1301 Churchmans Road Newark, De.
• The Home Depot 601 Naamans Road Claymont, De.

On Friday, October 14, 2016, as troopers responded to a residence located on Polk Road Wilmington to execute a warrant. The three suspects were seen preparing to leave the property and were taken into custody without incident.

Lakiesha S. Hargrow transported to Troop 2 where she was formally charged with two counts of Felony Theft, two counts of Organized Retail Crime, two counts of Conspiracy, and Felony Selling Stolen Property. She was also charged with Burglary, Criminal Mischief and Assault stemming from a warrant out of Wilmington Police Department. Hargrow was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to the Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution in default of $12,000.00 secured bond. (mug shots attached)

Deerna Johnson was transported to Troop 2 where she was formally charged with two counts of Felony Theft, two counts of Organized Retail Crime, two counts of Conspiracy, and Felony Selling Stolen Property. Johnson was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to the Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution in default of $10,000.00 secured bond. (mug shots attached)

Geneara Shovall was transported to Troop 2 where she was formally charged with two counts of Organized Retail Crime, Conspiracy, and Felony Selling Stolen Property. Shovall was arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to the Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution in default of $8,000.00 secured bond. (mug shots attached)

This is an active and ongoing investigation and if anyone has any information in reference to this incident they are asked to contact Cpl. B. McDerby at 302 365-8533. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com  or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword “DSP.”

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Released: 101816 1051

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