Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/166173
Sarasota News Leader September 6, 2013 Page 74 FUGITIVE CAPTURED DURING RETAIL THEFT INVESTIGATION During the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office's arrest of two people during a retail theft investigation, detectives learned the male suspect was a fugitive from justice, the office has reported. Detectives investigating two incidents in which laptops were stolen from the Venice Walmart circulated photos of the suspects to deputies, a news release says. Deputy Dave Clark "recognized them from his routine patrols of South Venice" and located the woman Sept. 3 on U.S. 41 near Sunset Beach Drive, the release notes. She was identified as Sara King, 29, of 5543 Kenwood Drive, North Port. King told deputies they could find her boyfriend at work, the release adds. John Seals, 35, of the same address as King, had a felony warrant for an escape in South Carolina, the release points out. A judge had ordered Seals to wear a GPS electronic monitor in July following his arrest on multiple drug charges, but Seals cut it off and left the state, the release continues. Sara King/Contributed photo Regarding the retail theft case: The report says a loss prevention officer from Walmart came to the Sheriff's Office on Sept. 2 to report that three laptop computers valued at approximately $1,481 were stolen from the store the previous day. The Walmart representative said that during a review of surveillance video, a couple was seen about 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 1, pushing a baby stroller as they entered the store's tool department. The video subsequently showed the man selecting a pair of pliers and a hat from the shelf, and then proceeding to the electronics department, where he cut the security wires off the three computers on a shelf, according to the report. The man placed the laptops in the stroller, and the couple proceeded to the store exit without stopping at any of the checkout counters, the report says. The couple left through the garden center, the report adds. Seals is charged with two counts of Grand Theft. He will be held without bond on the Fugitive from Justice charge. King is charged with two counts of Grand Theft. John Seals/Contributed photo