Nov 6, 2008 7:42 pm US/Eastern
Cops Accused In Big Orange County Shoplifting Ring
Newburgh Wal-Mart Relieved Of More Than $200,000 Worth Of Electronics, Software; Prosecutor Wants Public's Help
NEWBURGH, N.Y. (CBS) ―
The Orange County prosecutor said they're a disgrace to the badge. Two local cops are among four men charged in a massive shoplifting ring.
DVDs, TVs, electronics and software … investigators say you name it, they stole it.
At a huge Wal-Mart supercenter the shoplifting was on a scale almost unimaginable.
"These people were going into the Wal-Mart weekly, sometimes daily, taking hundreds if not thousands of dollars in one swoop, and leaving with it unchallenged," Orange County District Attorney Frank Phillips said.
The Orange County DA said the total value of stolen items may top $200,000.
Four men allegedly worked as a team to steal massive quantities of goods. Two of the accused are police officers -- Clifford Barber with the town of Montgomery, and Kevin Burchell with the village of Tuxedo.
"That's disgusting if you ask me!" one shopper told CBS 2 HD.
Added Roni Marie of Newburgh: "They think because they have a badge they can do whatever they want!"
Alec Halstead of Newburgh said it's a sign of the time.
"The way things are around here, the way the economy is, it just doesn't surprise me," Halstead said.
Investigators said suspect Bryan Dunn worked at the store and helped coordinate the thefts. Suspect Laquionus Pressley allegedly created diversions while the stolen goods were carted out the door.
Investigators said Barber -- the Montgomery cop -- was the mastermind who sold many of the stolen items through eBay, the online auction site.
The DA said officer Barber also sold stolen goods directly to friends and acquaintances. Investigators wonder if the buyers knew the stuff was hot.
"We're not interested in arresting them, not interested even in seizing the property," Phillips said. "We're just interested in obtaining more information about how this operation worked."
With charges pending, Barber has been suspended. Burchell was still a probationary cop. He's been fired.
Investigators said the cops did this in their spare time. They were not on duty at the time of the alleged shoplifting.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
2009 Celebrity Deaths, July-Dec.
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
