Shreveport Police Dept.

Date: Jun 04, 2008

Phone: 318/673-6932 Fax: 318/673-6933

Contact: Kacee Hargrave, Public Information Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Police investigate cigarette theft

UPDATE: Shreveport Police secured an arrest warrant for the suspect in the most recent cigarette theft on May 29 at the Circle K in the 1000 block of Shreveport-Barksdale.

Willie Jenkins, 52, of Shreveport is wanted for simple robbery. Detectives got a tip after the media ran photos of the suspect stealing cartons of cigarettes out of the convenience store.

There are other cases under investigation, but Jenkins is only charged with the simple robbery case at this time.

Shreveport Police are investigating at least three incidents in which a man entered a Circle K store, stealing hundreds of dollars worth of cigarettes.

The most recent incident occurred this morning about 4 a.m. in the 1000 block of Shreveport-Barksdale Boulevard. The suspect entered the store, pushed a clerk and took 10 cartons of cigarettes. Because he shoved the clerk, the case is classified as a simple robbery.

Two other cigarettes thefts occurred at Circle K stores, one in the 8500 block of Youree Drive and another in the 1800 block of Line Avenue.

The total value of the cigarettes is over $1,000.

In all of the cases, the suspect entered the store wearing a baseball cap. It is believed he drove away from today's incident in a blue Chevy Silverado. He is described as a light-skinned black male, 6 feet tall, 230 pounds in his mid 30s.

Anyone with information about these cases is asked to call detectives at 673-6985 or Crime Stoppers at 673-7373.

Information can be left with Crime Stoppers at 673-7373 or by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at www.crimestoppersshreveportcaddo.com.

-spd-

View all SPD press releases at www.ci.shreveport.la.us/dept/police/spdnews