Theft at JCPenney: suspect arrested with nearly two thousand dollars in stolen goods

On May 11 at 4 p.m., the Olympia Police Department (OPD) responded to a reported theft at JCPenney, 625 Black Lake Boulevard SW.  

According to the OPD police report, the store’s loss prevention officer had detained a suspect and requested police assistance. 

The loss prevention officer informed OPD that he had observed a male suspect, identified as Mark Conklin, concealing items in a shoulder bag.  

The suspect was stopped after exiting the store without paying.  

Upon detention, the employee found $1,827.62 worth of merchandise in the suspect’s possession. 

The employee also stated, “when taking the items out of the bag, he noticed two strips of foil about the size of a DVD case,” and asked him about it, but the suspect did not answer. 

“Due to a medical issue, Mark could not calm down and provide me with a statement,” the reporting officer stated.  

A body search following the arrest by authorities revealed a pair of wire cutters in the suspect’s pants pocket, which he also did not explain.  

“Due to Mark`s (suspect) panic attack and his claim to have swallowed fentanyl, he was brought to CMC for medical clearance,” the OPD responding officer stated in his police report.  

After being medically cleared, the suspect was transported to Thurston County Jail, where he was booked on charges of organized retail theft.