On May 1st, 2017, at approximately 6pm, officers with the New Braunfels Police Department were called to the 200 block of Creekside Way for a Theft in Progress at the Belk department store. Loss prevention staff said that 4 people (2 males and 2 females) were working together to steal perfume and cologne from the store by concealing the stolen merchandise inside the female’s purses.
While officers were en route, the suspects attempted to leave the store and were approached by loss prevention staff. One of the females dropped the stolen merchandise and fled with a male in one direction, while two other suspects (a male and a female) attempted to flee in the opposite direction. An employee gave chase and was able to catch a male suspect, leading to a struggle where the man assaulted the loss prevention employee. One of the females was able to reach a vehicle (a gray Volvo S40) and drove up to the struggling men in an attempt to help the male suspect escape. A New Braunfels Police officer arrived as this was happening and the female fled from the officer in the vehicle. The officer pursued the car, which came to a stop in a far corner of the parking lot, and a felony traffic stop by the officer led to the arrest of the female.
Other officers also arrived on scene and both the male and female suspects were arrested and booked at the Comal County Jail. 19-year old Stephen Alexander Soto of San Antonio was charged with Robbery (a 2nd degree felony) and bond was set at $15,000. 20-year old Lacie Nicole Hollinshead of Schertz was charged with Robbery (a 2nd degree felony), and also Evading Arrest or Detention in a Vehicle (a 3rd degree felony), and bond was set at $20,000.
An inventory of the merchandise found inside the two purses totaled over $1,600.
A short time later, an officer still working on this case spotted the two other suspects as they entered the Creekside Cinema movie theater. The officer was able to place the female into custody, but the male suspect fled on foot through the theater building. More officers arrived and searched the building and the surrounding area, but were unable to locate the suspect. 19-year old Kelley Anne Flood of Cibolo was taken to the Comal County Jail and charged with Robbery (a 2nd degree felony) and Failure to ID (a Class B Misdemeanor), and bond was set at $17,000. This case remains under investigation by the NBPD Criminal Investigations Division. Further arrests and charges may be pending.