Individuals Arrested in Retail Theft Incident 
On 08-28-23 at about 3:30pm, officers were sent to Dick’s Sporting Goods for a retail theft complaint called in by employees. Employees called to report there were several individuals actively stealing merchandise from the business. Employees continued to follow the individuals as they got into vehicles in an attempt to leave with the stolen merchandise. Employees provided officers with a description of the suspect vehicles, a gold SUV and a silver Kia.
Upon arrival, officers observed the gold SUV vehicle trying to exit the mall parking lot. Officer Feirn initiated a traffic stop in the parking lot. As he was approaching the vehicle, the vehicle drove away at a high rate of speed. The vehicle finally came to a complete stop after several officers were seen arriving in the area.
A high-risk traffic stop was completed and officers were able to take all 3 vehicle occupants into custody. Inside the vehicle (gold Ford SUV) officers located about $300 worth of stolen merchandise.
While officers were searching the area for the other suspects, Officer Fechter located one suspect inside of Burger King. Employees confirmed the individual had just arrived shortly before officers and was driving a silver Kia. In speaking to the driver, Robert Johnson, Officer Fechter observed behaviors that indicated he may be impaired. Robert refused field sobriety tests and was later arrested. A search warrant for his blood was granted and the results are pending.
Officers located his vehicle parked in the parking lot of Burger King. Inside the vehicle (silver Kia), officers located about $50 worth of stolen merchandise from Dick’s Sporting Goods and open intoxicants.
Robert Johnson also had an extraditable warrant through Rockford, Illinois for drug-related offenses.
The following individuals were arrested as a result of the investigation:
Michelle Kennedy ( 55 year old female)
Rockford, Illinois Resident
Retail Theft
Loretta Bell (53 year old female)
Beloit, Wisconsin Resident
Retail Theft and Drinking in Public
Lecia Wade (55 year old female)
Rockford, Illinois Resident
Retail Theft
Robert Johnson (54 year old male)
Rockford, Illinois Resident
Retail Theft, Obstructing an Officer, Fugitive Complaint and 2nd Offense OWI
Witnesses assisted officers in locating all the individuals and vehicles involved in the retail theft incident. All the stolen merchandise that was recovered will be returned back to the business. The Janesville Police Department appreciates the continued working relationship we have with the community.
| Incident Number: JV2343436, JV2343443, JV2343467 |
| Location: 2500 Milton Ave |
| By: Lt. Seeger #2249 |
| Date: 08-29-23 |
| Pursuant to the directive of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, as found in Supreme Court Rule 20:3:6 Trial Publicity, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. |
Address/Location
Janesville Police Department
100 N Jackson St
Janesville, WI 53548
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 608-755-3100
