Shoplifter Displays Handgun Which Leads To Robbery Charge
On Friday, December 11th, 2020 at approximately 10:28 A.M., the LaPorte County Regional Dispatch Center received a 911 call in reference to a shoplifting that took place at Meijer (5150 Franklin Street), according to Michigan City Police.
A Uniformed Officer was patrolling the area near Meijer when this call for service was dispatched. The officer quickly located 34-year-old LaPorte, Indiana resident Ricky Sansom walking in the Meijer parking lot. A female walking with Sansom in the Meijer parking lot fled the area on foot when they were approached by the officer. Both Sansom and the female he was with matched the suspect descriptions provided by a Meijer Loss Prevention employee involved in this incident.
Another Uniformed Officer spoke with the Meijer Loss Prevention employee who encountered Sansom inside the store. Officers learned the Meijer Loss Prevention employee was alerted by an anti-theft deterrent system when Sansom and the female he was with attempted to exit the store. It was during this time when Sansom reportedly displayed a firearm to the Meijer Loss Prevention employee while continuing to exit the store with property not paid for. The Meijer Loss Prevention employee quickly dialed 911 to report this incident to the Michigan City Police Department.
A firearm and other evidence collected during this investigation led to Sansom being arrested for Robbery (Level 3 Felony) and Carrying a Handgun without a Permit (A-Misd.). He was issued a $25,005.00 cash bond. The female walking with Sansom has yet to be identified. Detectives are currently looking into the female’s identity and will determine if criminal charges should be filed for her involvement with this incident. Assisting with this investigation were other officers from MCPD Uniform Patrol Shift 1 and the Trail Creek Police Department.
Michigan City Police would also like to remind the public that you can contact them via Facebook Messenger, through the crime tip hotline number of 219-873-1488, or you can also call the WeTip Hotline for General Crime (800) 78-CRIME and possibly receive a reward upon an arrest and conviction. All WeTip call information is sent directly to the LaPorte County Prosecutor’s Office. You can always request to remain anonymous!
