Paducah Police say an officer was investigating a theft report on February 14 at the AT&T store on Hinkleville Road, when he says he recognized a man on surveillance video from a traffic stop in January. That man was allegedly the same suspect from surveillance video during a February 11 theft at the same location. Police say 23-year-old Christopher Fontana of Husbands Road is a likely suspect in a similar theft in Marshall County on February 3, along with other recent thefts in Mayfield and Clarksville.
He was arrested February 15 and is in Marshall County Jail on shoplifting and evidence tampering charges. Fontana has now been served with McCracken County warrants for two felony counts of theft by unlawful taking of items valued between $500 and $10,000.
Police believe 23-year-old Racheal Land of Burkhart Lane sold several of the stolen phones, and an arrest warrant charges her with three counts of receiving stolen property. She has not yet been arrested, but anyone with information on her whereabouts can call the Paducah Police Department at 270-444-8550.
Information also may be provided anonymously through West Kentucky Crime Stoppers by texting WKY and your tip to 847411 (tip 411) or by downloading the app “WKY Crime Stoppers” from the Apple Store or Google Play. Tipsters also may access the online tip form through the City of Paducah website at http://paducahky.gov/west-ky-crime-stoppers.
Information leading to an arrest or indictment may result in a reward of up to $1,000.
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Original Story:
A Paducah man is facing theft charges after an investigation into a stolen phone in Benton.
On February 3, an AT&T employee reported that a man had visited the store and stolen an iPhone 11. The phone was reportedly stolen while the employee was helping a customer.
A short time later, an officer with the Paducah Police Department contacted the Benton Police Department, saying they were investigating a similar theft. On Friday, officers say they were able to identify the suspect as 23-year-old Christopher Fontana. Officers also reportedly learned that Fontana had sold the phone at a kiosk in Hopkinsville.
On Saturday, officers located and arrested Fontana. He is being charged with shoplifting over $500 and tampering with physical evidence.
