Liberty Fest Shoplifters Busted At Crocker Park

WESTLAKE, OH — Liberty Fest was July 1 at Crocker Park. The pre-July 4 celebration saw numerous family-friendly activities and shopping sales bring crowds to the complex. It also saw a large, visible police presence that, surprisingly, was forced to bust a group of shoplifters.

There were four reported thefts or shopliftings at Crocker Park between 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on July 1, prime Liberty Fest hours. Officers managed to arrest three people during the day, and return some missing items to shoppers.

At least three people were arrested trying to steal meat and dog food at Giant Eagle, police said. One of the arrested people had a warrant for their arrest for theft. Police said there were two separate shoplifting incidents at the grocery store during Liberty Fest.

Officers are still investigating a theft from an employee at Bar Louie. Details on that incident are scarce at the moment.

Finally, a shopper said they had either lost or had their cell phone stolen during the day. Officers were able to find and return the phone and the shopper said they did not want to pursue charges against anyone involved.

The Westlake Police Department had officers on-foot, marked cruisers and bike patrol at the shopping center during Liberty Fest.

(For more news like this, find your local Patch here. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here. And like Patch on Facebook!)

Photo from Crocker Park