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Police Investigating Cases Of Grand Theft, Fraud
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Investigations are continuing into a couple of cases involving local businesses, including one where several thousand dollars’ worth of items were stolen.

Escalon Police Chief Mike Borges said authorities are following up leads in connection with the theft of items from Kraft-Heinz (Escalon Premier Brands) that was reported on Tuesday, Nov. 12.

“It appears the theft occurred between Nov. 8 and Nov. 12,” Borges said, noting that the business in the 25000 block of Ullrey was closed for the weekend and again on Nov. 11 for the Veterans Day observance.

“The maintenance crew had found a door open; no signs of tampering were noted,” the chief added of when the business reopened following the long holiday weekend.

The call came in shortly after 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12.

“When we responded, we learned that over $35,000 worth of property had been taken, that makes it a grand theft,” Borges explained. “They realized they were missing several welders and nine laptops were also taken.”

Borges said police have obtained serial numbers and will be on the lookout if any of those numbers “pop up” in the system.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Anthony Hardgraves at 209-691-7358.

“Detective Hardgraves is handling the investigation,” Borges said. “We are looking for additional leads.”

In another business related incident, the chief said they were notified this week of an estimated $19,000 in fraudulent charges being made on the account of Shorty’s, a business in the 1200 block of Plaza.

That case also remains under investigation.

“It appears that someone was able to utilize the business’s bank routing number and make the fraudulent charges,” said Borges. “We’re just beginning this investigation.”