Two arrested for liquor thefts, trespassing

On Wednesday, Aug. 3, two Loves Park police officers saw a picture of a man on the front door of Mobil, 6224 N. Second St. Along with the picture, Mobil posed the question if anyone knew this man, who was allegedly a suspect in a theft.

The officers recognized the man, so they met with a store employee, who reported that the man and a female had allegedly committed multiple thefts over the past couple of days, taking eight bottles of liquor, with a total value of more than $200.

The officers found the man at his home, a couple blocks from the Mobil station. They also met with a female at the same home.

James Wagner, 43, of Loves Park was charged with five counts of Enhanced Retail Theft and Criminal Trespass to Property, as he had previously been banned from the store. Wagner is also on parole.

Shelli Thomas, 47, of Loves Park was charged with one count of Enhanced Retail Theft and Criminal Trespass to Property, as she had previously been banned from the store. Thomas is also on probation.

During the investigation, officers also learned of an additional theft at Loves Liquor & Wine, 6213 N. Second St., involving an $86 bottle of tequila.

The charges are merely allegations, and the defendants are considered innocent, unless proven guilty in a court of law.