Video store employees arrested in thefts

Friday, March 26, 1999 | 10:43 a.m.

Henderson Police arrested five employees and former employees of Hollywood Video Thursday following a monthlong investigation into the theft of $18,000 worth of video discs and equipment.

Sgt. Gary Smith said the scheme involved employees ordering the discs and electronic equipment and then keeping the merchandise rather than putting it on the shelves of the store located at 2630 Windmill Parkway.

Those arrested include Henderson residents Larry Alan Weber, 19, who also was charged with possession of a controlled substance, Ryan Mathew Schmitt, 25, and Chad Sutherland, 19. Also arrested were Las Vegas residents Jason Gillman, 19, and Kelly Lee, 29.

The five were charged with theft.

Smith said arrest warrants are also pending for two juveniles.

Property recovered includes digital video disc (DVD) players and discs.

Smith said the investigation began Feb. 23 when patrol officers alerted detectives about a series of residential burglaries in the area of Warm Springs Road between Pecos Road and Green Valley Parkway.

The patrol officers had learned that two juveniles had burglarized a number of residences and were selling the stolen property.

Smith said the buyer was Weber.

When police served a search warrant at Weber's residence the evening of Feb. 23, evidence was discovered that cleared eight recent residential burglaries, police said.

During the search of the residence, Smith said, police also found a substantial amount of Hollywood Video property.

Weber is a former employee of the video store, Smith said.