Occurred on 11/25/12, 12:44pm  Theft  5202 S. Padre Island Drive  1211250060

An Officer working the Holiday Safety Enforcement observed a man wearing a light purple shirt carrying several bags running out the west side exit of Dillard’s.  The man was being chased by store employees who kept yelling at him to stop.  Officer J. Villarreal began following the man towards the back of the Olive Garden as he ran behind the IHOP.

As the Officer drove west through the parking lot he observed a Chevrolet Prism with the suspect sitting in the back seat.    The Officer attempted to pull the vehicle over, but the driver refused to stop.  The driver Jason Jack Wagner (09/04/75) finally stopped at the 5100 block of Mount Vernon.  Further investigation revealed Benito Jose Saldana (01/28/80) was running towards the IHOP where Wagner and the getaway vehicle were waiting.Both Wagner and Saldana were arrested and charged with Theft Shoplifting which is a Class “A” Misdemeanor punishable by one year in jail and a $4,000 fine.

Saladana had several facial injuries and told Officers he’d been in a fight a couple of days before.  The three stolen Dooney & Burke purses valued at $994 were returned to Dillard’s.

The Corpus Christi Police Department will dedicating extra patrols as part of our annual Holiday Enforcement Initiative throughout the busiest shopping areas and parking lots of the city.   If you will be committing a crime this Holiday Season, expect to spend some time in jail.