(KAIR) -- An area prosecutor addresses the recent upswing in shoplifting cases reported in Atchison.
The cases have seen a steady rise since late last year and have been largely occurring at the Atchison Wal-Mart.
Atchison County Attorney Jerry Kuckelman is aggressively prosecuting the cases through a couple of state statutes in an effort to eliminate the problem.
(Play Audio)
The other law is aggravated burglary, which is not what you would commonly expect.
Usually, aggravated burglary is charged when a person enters a residence while victims are home.
Kuckelman says this law can be used in shoplifting cases too.
(Audio Continues)
Kuckelman has also seen a trend where those accused or convicted of the crime come from out of town.
(Audio Continues)
Kuckelman’s trend has been confirmed as the most recent shoplifting case that came through local law enforcement last week involved a Saint Joseph woman who was stopped as she was attempting to cross the Amelia Earhart Bridge back into Missouri and items believed to have been stolen from Wal-Mart were discovered.
Atchison Police were unable to compile a firm number, but confirm the upswing in shoplifting arrests.
Chief Mike Wilson says several more are first time or second time offenders that take small items and usually have their cases addressed in Municipal Court.
© Many Signals Communications
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Three former Atchison Co employees arrested on felonies
Fentanyl find nets four in two Atchison cases
St. Joseph teacher arrested for student sex crimes
Barricaded fugitive arrested in Jackson County
Wanted felon arrested in Hiawatha
Four injured in Richardson Co rollover crash
Support sought for fire ravaged family
Ozawkie man facing multiple child sex charges
Fatal Atchison apt fire investigation continues
USD 415 board select new member
Armed felon found, arrested, in Jackson Co
Date set for signals switch at Hiawatha intersection
Public health advisory issued for local lake
State Board approves land transfer agreements
Sabetha man arrested on drug charges
4th candidate files for local KS House seat
Flood warning issued for Missouri River
Lancaster shooting, threats, land man in jail
LATEST STORIES
Flood warning issued for Missouri River
Valuation change notices coming soon for Nebraska residents
Falls City Hot Air Balloon Festival coming in June
NW MO bridge repair project delayed
Unemployment dips in April in SE Nebraska
Former KS AG files for Congress
Lancaster shooting, threats, land man in jail
Case dismissed in charity fraud allegations
RELATED STORIES
Falls City man arrested on multiple charges
State senators listen to frustrations with crime
Authorities Continue to Look for Suspect
Investigation Yields Information About Richardson Co Thefts
Missouri Authorities Find Stolen Money in Tree
Man Faces Sex Assault Charges in SE Nebraska
Tecumseh Man Pleads Not Guilty to Falls City Thefts
Atchison Co Commission Focuses On Speed Limits