INDIANAPOLIS — One man is in jail as police in Indianapolis investigate a series of robberies at Walmart and Kroger stores across the metro.
Court records show at least six victims were targeted at five different stores, starting at Walmart on 86th Street near Michigan.
In the hardware section of that north side Walmart last month, a pair of thieves snatched the wallet from a 90-year-old shopper.
“When he grabbed my wallet I grabbed him and tried to hold on, but the two of them together knocked my hands loose,” said Wesley Carey.
Wesley said he yelled for help and briefly tried to chase the suspects through the store.
“But these guys were really running and I’m 90 years old. I can’t run,” said Carey.
Over the span of a week after Wesley was robbed, police believe the same group of suspects stole a purse with a handgun inside from a woman who was nine months pregnant at a Walmart on West 10th Street.
Another victim had her purse stolen at a Kroger on Crawfordsville Road in Speedway.
A third woman was tossed to the ground during a purse snatching at Walmart on Lafayette and two different women were robbed of their purses at a Walmart on East Washington.
Court records claim the crimes are connected because, in each case, three to four suspects fled in the same Mitsubishi Galant.
Surveillance cameras even captured the license plate of that getaway car.
Officers eventually used license plate readers to track down that car, which crashed into some train tracks while being pursued by police.
Several suspects escaped, but the affidavit explains that police did find some of the stolen items inside in getaway car.
“I think it’s just shameful people don’t want to work for a living anymore,” said Carey. “I hope they understand how foolish they are being.”
While he chastised the alleged thieves, Wesley said after he was robbed, a Good Samaritan gave him a $100 bill to finish his shopping
“There are still good people left in the world,” said Carey. “And that was a great kindness.”
So far, one suspect, 21-year-old Keshaun Johnson has been arrested for the robberies.
Formal charges against Johnson are still pending. He’s due in court for an initial hearing later this week.
The investigation into the other suspects remains ongoing.
Anyone with information on the case can still contact IMPD or Crime Stoppers at 317-262-TIPS.
