MARCH 3, 2025|
Photo – Bagged evidence taken from white minivan stopped by Sweetwater County Sheriff’s deputies – Courtesy Rawlins Police Department
Three suspects were arrested last week for stealing electronics from the Walmart store in Rawlins.
On Thursday, February 27th, the Rawlins Police Department received a call from Walmart on East Cedar Street in Rawlins regarding a theft.
Rawlins Police Chief Mike Ward said that store employees provided officers with a detailed description of the suspected thief and the get-away vehicle, which was a white-colored minivan. The suspect was believed to have escaped the area using the westbound exit onto Interstate 80.
Rawlins police dispatchers quickly shared the description of the suspect vehicle with Wyoming Highway Patrol, the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office, and other nearby law enforcement agencies. Chief Ward said a Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Deputy located the suspect’s minivan and, with the help of Wyoming Highway Patrol Troopers, initiated a traffic stop. Inside the vehicle, officers found three suspects and many stolen items.
Police report that the suspects were apprehended with more than $10,000 worth of electronics believed to have been stolen from the Walmart in Rawlins and other stores in the surrounding region. Chief Ward explained that the items were mostly Apple products, such as iPhones, iPads, and AirPods earphones.
Chief Ward said he doesn’t believe that the three suspects are residents of the area. Instead, the chief said they most likely have been traveling around the country, committing thefts.
Chief Ward was unable to reveal the identity of the three suspects. The chief said that all three defendants were charged with felony theft. Chief Ward thanked the law enforcement agencies that assisted in the investigation and subsequent arrest of the suspected thieves.
All persons accused of crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The identity of the suspects and other information will be available through Carbon County Circuit Court following formal charges.
