Stolen batteries, clothes, cosmetics: 14 arrested in Anchorage Fred Meyer shoplifting sting

Another undercover shoplifting sting at an Anchorage Fred Meyer netted 14 arrests, a seized handgun and heroin, along with stolen food, clothing and other merchandise, police said Saturday.

The Anchorage Police Department said it conducted the "Retail Detail" on Friday at the city's east side Fred Meyer on DeBarr Road.

The sting was conducted in tandem with Operation Midnight Sun, which police say has resulted in dozens of arrests in Anchorage this week.

"Retail Detail" operations started about seven months ago. The stings are the result of a partnership with stores' loss-prevention teams, as well as increased police staffing, an APD lieutenant said last month.

During a similar operation carried out by police in late May, police arrested 25 shoplifting suspects at the city's Midtown Fred Meyer.

[Stolen antifreeze, alcohol and fake fingernails: Fred Meyer shoplifting sting nabs 25 suspects]

Here's the breakdown of Friday's detail, according to police:

1. Mark Smith, 35, stole $52.49 in clothing. Officers watched him put a pair of athletic pants over his shorts and try to leave the store. When stopped, officers found a tank top shoved under his shirt, which he admitted was stolen. He also had a small amount of black tar heroin on him, police said. He was arrested on suspicion of theft and fifth-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance.

2. Nicholas Raelson, 28, stole $31.16 in food. He had methamphetamine on him, police said, which was seized. He was arrested on suspicion of theft.

3. Cameron McFarling, 28, hid $42.14 in toiletry items and batteries on him. He tried to run when approached by police. He was arrested on suspicion of theft and resisting arrest, and had an outstanding misdemeanor warrant.

4. Twymon Bennett, 58, was arrested on an outstanding felony warrant for a parole violation.

5. Steavin Martin, 32, walked out of the store with a basket full of $56.65 in stolen food and clothing. He was arrested on suspicion of theft and two counts of violating conditions of release.

6. A minor who stole $16.06 in merchandise by concealing it in their clothes was arrested, charged with theft and released to their guardian.

7. Kaylen Kelley, 35, stole $15.27 worth of cosmetics. She tried to run when stopped by police, and was charged with theft and resisting arrest.

8. Paula Roberds, 33, was arrested on an outstanding felony warrant for a parole violation. She had heroin on her, police said.

9. Dennis Jordan, 35, stole $116.12 in merchandise. He gave officers "false information about himself," was a convicted felon, and didn't tell police he had a concealed handgun on him. He was arrested on suspicion of theft, third-degree misconduct involving a weapon, fifth-degree misconduct involving a weapon and giving false information to an officer.

10. Naeveh Forks, 28, was with Jordan when he was stopped by police. Forks also gave false information to officers, police said. She was found to have a felony warrant on first-degree assault charges, and a misdemeanor warrant for failure to appear on a third-degree forgery charge. She was arrested on suspicion of providing false information, and on both warrants.

11. Eric Jessup, 61, was arrested on suspicion of driving with a revoked license.

12. Sarah Alvarado, 40, stole $225.65 in merchandise that she put in her purse. She was arrested on suspicion of theft.

13. Alexandria Thom, 31, stole $40 in undergarments. She was seen concealing merchandise on her while putting other items in her cart. When she exited the store, she left the cart behind. She also had a small amount of heroin on her, police said. She was arrested on suspicion of theft, fourth-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance, and three counts of violating conditions of her release.

14. Michael Sappa, 45, stole $16.59 in alcohol. He was arrested on suspicion of theft.

All together, police made 14 arrests, with one felony charge and 24 misdemeanor charges. They arrested people wanted on three felony warrants and two misdemeanor warrants. Officers recovered one gun, 2.14 grams of heroin and 0.68 grams of meth, police said. More than $570 in stolen merchandise was recovered.