2 former Lucas County officers face theft charges

One jail worker fired; 2nd resigned

A Lucas County jail corrections officer was fired Monday, and a second officer previously resigned as a result of theft charges from Walmart in Holland.

The Lucas County jail.

Both Denise Alexander and Charlana Brown recently left the Lucas County Sheriff’s Office, and each has a pending misdemeanor case in Sylvania Municipal Court.

Ms. Alexander, 43, of Toledo, was dismissed after 10 years with the office. A review board sustained seven administrative charges against her, including immoral conduct, law violation, and dishonesty, according to internal affairs records.

Ms. Alexander declined an interview request Monday, and Ms. Brown did not return a call seeking comment.

Store security stopped Ms. Alexander on Feb. 10 while she attempted to leave Walmart, 1355 S. McCord Rd., according to internal affairs records.

An employee said Ms. Alexander took clothes and groceries to the self-checkout register, purchased some of the items, and tried to take the remaining merchandise, internal affairs found.

A sales receipt shows Ms. Alexander purchased 23 items totaling $71, but did not pay for 38 items at a cost of $165. The store issued a no-trespass order for any Walmart location, internal affairs said.

The store’s loss prevention section had video recordings of someone committing prior thefts Jan. 17 and 18, and later determined it was Ms. Alexander, according to the internal affairs report.

Holland police said Ms. Alexander stole $62 in merchandise Jan. 17 and $73 on Jan. 18, according to an incident report. She faces three charges of petty theft in municipal court.

Ms. Alexander told investigators she did leave Walmart without paying for items Feb. 10, but did not recall visiting the store on the January dates, internal affairs said.

Authorities also believe Ms. Brown, 33, of Toledo, took $337 in merchandise Feb. 9 from the Walmart, according to a police report. A misdemeanor charge of petty theft was filed Feb. 17 in municipal court.

Ms. Brown, a four-year veteran of the sheriff’s office, submitted her resignation letter Feb. 24.

“Effective this date, I resign my position as corrections officer with the Lucas County Sheriff’s Office. Thank you,” Ms. Brown wrote.

There was no internal affairs investigation of Ms. Brown, and no administrative charges had been filed against her, said Capt. Donald Atkinson, who oversees the Internal Affairs Bureau.

The Blade reviewed Holland police and Sylvania Municipal Court records regarding Ms. Brown’s case, and Captain Atkinson confirmed she was a former employee. He declined comment on her resignation.

Contact Ryan Dunn at: rdunn@theblade.com, 419-724-6095, or on Twitter @rdunnblade.