ALBION, NY — Two Batavia residents face felony charges following a multi-agency investigation into an organized retail theft scheme targeting department stores across Orleans, Genesee and Monroe counties.
Kirk A. Thomas Jr., 41, and Nevada M. Nichols, 33, both of Batavia, were arrested Jan. 12 in connection with multiple thefts from Walmart locations in the region.
The investigation began after the Albion Walmart reported a theft Jan. 6 in which more than $1,400 in merchandise, primarily electronics, was stolen.
Surveillance footage showed a male and female suspect leaving the store in a white BMW with no license plates.
Further investigation revealed the same suspects were involved in additional thefts at Walmart locations in Albion, Brockport, Sweden, Batavia and surrounding areas, resulting in thousands of dollars in stolen merchandise.
Through coordinated investigative efforts, including surveillance review and vehicle identification, investigators identified Thomas and Nichols as suspects.
The vehicle used in the thefts was located and secured by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
Search warrants executed by Orleans and Monroe County investigators resulted in the recovery of stolen property.
Thomas and Nichols were taken into custody with the assistance of New York State Parole.
In Orleans County, both defendants were charged with two counts of conspiracy in the fifth degree, two counts of grand larceny in the fourth degree and enterprise corruption, stemming from an alleged ongoing pattern of organized retail theft activity.
Nichols was released on an appearance ticket to appear in the Town of Albion Court.
Nichols was also arrested and released by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office for grand larceny in the fourth degree in the Town of Batavia, and by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office for two counts of grand larceny in the fourth degree in the Town of Sweden.
Thomas was held in custody by Orleans County pending a bail hearing.
Thomas has been previously arrested 48 times for similar offenses and convicted of eight felony crimes.
Additional charges for both are anticipated from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office as the investigation continues.
