Once on scene the deputy spoke with the store manager. She stated that she was informed by one of the employees, that a man, wearing a brown coat and black hat, entered the store and put six or seven DVD’s into his coat pocket and left the store without paying for them.
The manager stated that as the suspect was leaving, she took a picture of the car, including the Missouri license plate. The deputy requested dispatch to run the plate. The vehicle is registered to Gary Dozier.
St. Clair County deputies went to the home of Dozier. The deputies asked if he owned a green car. Dozier stated he did, but his wife had the car. The deputy asked Dozier if he was at Dollar General earlier in the evening. Dozier stated that his step-son and grand children were there earlier. The deputy informed Dozier that he matched the description of a suspected shoplifter. Dozier’s picture was sent to the manager of Dollar General and she confirmed that he was the suspect.
The deputies explained that if Dozier was cooperative with them, they would not take him to jail. It was also explained that the paperwork would be submitted to the prosecuting attorney’s office for formal charges. Dozier retrieved the DVD’s and handed them to the deputies. The deputy asked about the missing plastic wrapper. Dozier stated he tore the wrappers off and threw them out the window of the car.
The deputies took the DVD’s back to Dollar General to get the prices of them. Total value of DVD’s is $44.85.
Witness statements were filled out by the Dollar General manager and employee.
