COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – A major theft case involving a large amount of merchandise stolen in November from the Coldwater Meijer store has resulted in the arrest of a suspect taken into custody last week. 36-year old Derek Butler of Coldwater surrendered at the Branch County Jail Friday and was arraigned in Branch County District Court on 3 counts of first degree retail fraud and also on a child support charge.
According to Coldwater City Police, the items with an estimated value of $10,000 were reported stolen on November 23 and November 29, 2017. The surveillance camera at Meijer spotted the license plate on the car used in the thefts and allowed police eventually to learn where Butler lived.
A search warrant signed in early February allowed officers to enter the suspect’s home on West Chicago Street where they found much of the merchandise including TV’s, computers, electronic games, drones and children’s toys. Police also said items taken from the Walmart store in Coldwater were discovered at Butler’s residence.
Butler’s bond was set at $30,000, ten percent allowed, and Butler is due back in Branch County District Court for a probable cause hearing March 15, 2018.
