BUTLER COUNTY, Ohio (WKRC) – A $5,000 reward is being offered for the capture of the second suspect in a Liberty Township theft case, but the Butler County Sheriff is demanding that the mall foot the bill.
The two women stole $2,000 worth of clothing from Dick's Sporting Goods on August 21. The Butler County Sheriff's Office arrested Tiara Roberts on Tuesday.
Sheriff Richard Jones said his office has received 150 reports of thefts at Liberty Center in the last two months and he doesn't believe the mall is doing enough to prevent them. Jones wants to put an end to the recent thefts at Liberty Center by billing the mall.
He is offering a reward for anyone who provides information that leads to an arrest and said the mall should fund that reward.
“You don't have to pay me, but I'm going to send you a bill, and it's for the case from two months ago. You can take it to your corporate lawyers and do whatever you want with it, I don't care,” Sheriff Jones said.
Jones said someone would get hurt if the thefts continued, adding that there are apartments near the mall where fights between children are a common occurrence.
Liberty Center did not share its security measures, but issued a statement saying:
“Our security program includes both private security personnel and off-duty sheriff's deputies, all at our expense, which underscores our commitment to the well-being of our guests, retailers and employees. We look forward to further discussions with Sheriff Jones, the community and other local agencies to collaboratively develop solutions that will benefit the entire community in the future.”
“You came to the wrong county. You came to Butler County, where I hate thieves,” Jones said.
Jones said money matters. He could invest time and money into finding the suspects, or he could offer a reward and catch them faster.
“If you offer money, it works wonders on people. Everyone likes money, even bad people, and they rat people out. It works. Within a few hours they are in custody. The one who was arrested today – [who was] handcuffed – she wasn't smiling when she came in,” Jones said.
Jones said the office will continue to offer rewards for solving murder and rape cases, but he believes thefts will save the funds for more serious crimes.
Anyone with information about the second suspect is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (513)-352-3040.
