Pair allegedly suspect in multiple thefts in county

By Kyle Troutman ktroutman@cassville-democrat.com

Criminal summons have been issued for two Seligman residents for allegedly stealing items from Dollar General in Washburn, and possibly other locations in Barry County.

Erik Canada, born 1989, and Emmily Johnson, born 1989, both of Seligman have been issued criminal summons for misdemeanor stealing – value less than $150 and no prior stealing offense.

According to probable cause statements filed by James Morgan, Washburn police chief, on Aug. 8, he was dispatched to the Dollar General store in Washburn for an alleged shoplifting. The store manager showed Morgan video of a man coming into the store and walking to the back. Morgan said the man could be seen on video holding bread, a box of Little Debbie snack cakes and a couple other items.

After reaching the end of the aisle, the man allegedly turned as he was going to check out and, instead, walked out of the store and got in his vehicle. A store employee followed the man and asked if he was coming back in to pay for the items, and the male allegedly replied he could not afford it and drove away.

The next day, at approximately 11 a.m., a female came into the store, walked the same path to the back and allegedly began putting items in her purse, which Morgan said was captured on video. The female then allegedly left the store and got into the same vehicle the male drove away the day prior, and the male suspect was allegedly seen on video in the driver’s seat.

The suspects, later identified as Canada and Johnson, have allegedly stolen items from other Dollar Store locations in Eagle Rock, Seligman and Cassville.

Morgan said in his statement both have a history of drug use, theft of property, shoplifting and fleeing from law enforcement.

Criminal summons have been issued, with initial appearances for both scheduled for Oct. 30 at 8:30 a.m. in the courtroom of Judge Robert Foulke.