Updated Jan. 25, 10:06 a.m.–
Citrus Heights police this week announced the arrest of two men in connection with local package thefts, crediting home video surveillance as “instrumental” in identifying the suspects.
The two suspects arrested were identified by police as 20-year-old Shawn Flemens, of Sacramento, and 25-year-old David Whitley, of Citrus Heights.
“With the continued reduction in cost of video surveillance equipment, CHPD appreciates all those residents who have invested in a home surveillance system,” said Sgt. Wesley Herman in a Jan. 22 news release about the arrests. “Our ability to identify and solve crime with the community’s assistance is greatly enhanced with this technology.”
The package thefts occurred on Jan. 4 around 11:30 a.m., with officers responding to the 6600 block of Auburn Boulevard regarding a person allegedly stealing packages from the front porch of a nearby residence. Video surveillance of the incident was shared by the victim on social media, appearing to show a man take two packages from a porch and place them into a red bag he was carrying.
Sgt. Herman said the theft suspect had left the scene prior to police arrival and “his identity was unknown at that time.” Officers then began an investigation into the theft, leading to Flemens being identified as the suspect in the video and a warrant being issued for his arrest by the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office.
Police said Whitley was also identified as a second suspect during the investigation. The 25-year-old Citrus Heights resident was located “during the execution of the arrest warrant” on Jan. 21, but Flemens had left prior to police arrival.
Flemens was located about a half-hour later during an area search conducted by police. Both suspects were arrested for their warrants and charged with two misdemeanors related to mail theft and petty theft, according to online court records.
Update: Online inmate records indicate Flemens and Whitley have both been released from custody, with arraignment hearings set for April 19. The date of release could not be confirmed by a Sacramento County Jail representative reached by phone, but a recorded message on the Jail’s inmate information line said “most inmates booked on a misdemeanor may generally be released within 8 to 12 hours from the time of booking.”
