Dallas County Sheriff's Office makes two arrests for theft at retail stores

Dallas County Sheriff’s Office made two arrests in separate theft cases at local retail stores.

Valerie Merchant, a 43-year-old employee from Orrville, was arrested and charged with theft of more than $30,000 from the Dollar General in Orrville.

Alex Thomas III, 31, was arrested for stealing about $2,300 from Superior Cleaners in Selma.

Dallas County Sheriff Mike Granthum said the arrests reflect steady work by deputies and assistance from multiple agencies.

“We are doing the best we can do, but we are getting them,” he said. “It takes a little time, but we get them.”

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In the Dollar General case, investigators responded to a report of significant losses at Dollar General. The store’s internal theft team estimated the total at more than $30,000. Deputies linked the theft to Merchant and found she had a warrant for a similar theft at a different store. Merchant was taken to Birmingham on the outstanding warrant before being returned to Dallas County. 

Granthum says she admitted to stealing money but denied taking the full amount. She is charged with first degree theft of property.

In the Superior Cleaners case, the owner reported money missing from deposits and investigators determined linked that issue to Thomas, saying he pocketed customer payments and took cash from the register.

“It sounds small at the time, but when you do that for several months, you get into several thousand dollars,” Granthum said. The total loss is currently estimated at about $2300, though the sheriff said it may be higher. Thomas admitted his involvement and was charged and placed in the Dallas County custody at Perry County Correctional Facility.