On May 29, a Minden police officer was dispatched to Save-A-Lot following a report of theft. Dispatch advised that a male wearing all black clothing had left the store carrying two cases of beer.
An officer located a male matching the description near the intersection of Plum Street and Talton Street, later identified as Valentin Guerrero, 24, of Homer. Guerrero admitted to being intoxicated. When the officer attempted to place Guerrero in handcuffs, Guerrero refused lawful orders to place his hands behind his back. Two officers were needed to forcefully place Guerrero’s hands behind his back and handcuffed him.
Upon arrival at Save-A-Lot, the officer made contact with assistant manager Melody Palmer. Palmer provided security video showing Guerrero leaving the store carrying two cases of beer.
Palmer positively identified Guerrero from a driver’s license photo as the suspect. She provided a voided receipt for the cases of beer, valued at $24.83, and signed a complaint for theft.
Further investigation revealed that unidentified witnesses reported Guerrero had placed the cases of beer in a garbage can. The cases of beer were recovered from a garbage can in the 300 block of Talton Street and later returned to Save-A-Lot.
Guerrero was transported to Minden Police Department, where he was booked and placed in a holding cell. He is a fugitive from Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office and faces charges of theft, disturbing the peace by intoxication, and resisting an officer.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.