Published on July 02, 2024
Officers with the Merriam Police Department and the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office recently led a targeted enforcement operation at Merriam Town Center.
They intercepted four thefts and arrested two individuals for felony theft during the daylong operation.
Merriam police officers investigated many cases that involved organized retail crime and worked with staff from the retail businesses to determine the best times to conduct the operation.
Officers arrested individuals who committed store thefts and were able to recover store property.
Merriam Police Capt. Jeremiah Waters said most thefts are people stealing items from the stores and then reselling the items for a profit. He said the businesses have worked with the police department on ideas to combat the rising thefts occurring in Merriam and around the Kansas City metro area.
“Cooperation between the police department and our business community is crucial,” Capt. Waters said. “We want to be able to help them with any concern they have, and this operation is an example of the great relationship between the businesses and the police department.”
Waters said the business community and the police department plan to continue these efforts to help prevent retail theft.