Crime Blotter Aug. 2-13: Will Carmichael Woman Skip Third Shoplifting Arraignment This Year?

Sweet smell of justice

A Carmichael woman is scheduled to be arraigned in Sacramento Superior Court next week on charges of shoplifting and second-degree burglary, online court data shows.

Jessica James Mercado, 23, of Carmichael was arrested Aug. 12 when a security guard at an Arden Way department store detained Mercado for allegedly stealing perfume.

During that initial contact, security personnel found an unnamed prescription drug in Mercado’s possession that she didn’t have a prescription for, said Sacramento Police Department spokesman Sgt. Norm Leong.

Leong described the medication as an opiate.

Whether Mercado shows up for her scheduled Aug. 22 arraignment remains uncertain. Online court data shows Mercado failed to show up for arraignment hearings two previous times this year.

Mercado was previously scheduled for arraignment in two different shoplifting cases earlier this year, but failed to make her May 12 court appearance as well as a June 14 court appearance, according to online court data.

In February 2010, Mercado was sentenced to 90 days in a work furlough custody program and three years on probation after pleading no contest to a misdemeanor count of identity theft. A felony count of larceny was dropped.

Funny running into him

Sacramento police were pointed in the direction of a Carmichael man suspected of carjacking a vehicle earlier this month.

Police arrested Kevin Wayne Lewis, 33, of Carmichael Saturday evening in the 7800 block of Deerglen Way in Sacramento. According to Sgt. Leong, someone associated with the victim spotted Lewis in the area and contacted authorities.

Lewis is accused of taking a silver 2000 Dodge truck from someone known to him on Aug. 2. Leong said this strong-arm robbery “was by force.” An acquaintance of the victim who recognized Lewis called police after seeing him on Deerglen Way.

Leong said Lewis was found to be on probation and “detained pending the investigation into the stolen car.”

Lewis was released from county jail on Tuesday, according to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department. He had no scheduled court date as of Thursday afternoon.

In February 2010, Lewis was sentenced to 120 days in county jail and three years of probation after pleading no contest to a single misdemeanor count of vehicle theft.