Man Attempts $1,000 Supermarket Theft in Valley Springs 

February 1, 2024 - Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on January 25, 2024, at approximately 1:00 P.M., the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a reported theft at the Mar-Val grocery store located at 55 Highway 12 in Valley Springs, California.

Upon arrival, deputies contacted store employees and learned that a subject, identified as 37-year-old Gary Lenz from Stockton, attempted to leave the store with a shopping cart full of groceries valued at just under $1,000 without paying. Lenz was confronted in the parking lot about the theft and proceeded to abandon the groceries and walk away from the scene.

Deputies located Lenz in the nearby area. Upon contact, Lenz provided a false name to avoid criminal charges.  He matched the description previously given, wearing a unique black shirt with the phrase "Trust No One" boldly imprinted on it. Despite Lentz’s adamant denial of culpability regarding the theft, Deputies took heed of the sage advice printed on his shirt and continued investigating his identity and possible role in the crime. 

The investigation eventually led to the positive identification of Lenz, who was found to have an outstanding warrant for failing to appear in a San Joaquin County court on unrelated criminal charges.

Lenz was arrested without further incident and booked into the Calaveras County Jail on charges of grand theft (felony), providing a false name, and the outstanding warrant.

Source & photo: Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office