On Saturday, June 22, at 7:00 pm, officers were dispatched to Sam’s Club in response to a theft. A 48-year-old male victim reported that he had been shopping at the store and left his Samsung phone, valued at $1800, in an electric scooter at approximately 6:45 pm. When he returned for it, the phone was missing. Surveillance footage showed an individual taking the phone and walking out of the store.
Later that evening, at 9:30 pm, officers were sent to Walmart for a reported sex offense. A 44-year-old female victim recounted that while shopping, she was approached by a 25-year-old male named Carlos Silva, who asked her to buy him a sweater. She agreed to this but declined his subsequent request for a ride to Topeka. He tried to give her a hug, but the woman moved his hands away.
Silva then asked for a ride to Burger King, to which she agreed. During the ride, Silva attempted to touch her inappropriately. Despite her discomfort, she complied with his request to return to Walmart, fearing he might be armed. Upon their return, Silva again touched her inappropriately. She pushed him away and told him to get out of the car, which he did. The victim then reported the incident to Walmart employees, who contacted the police.
Officers recognized Silva from the earlier theft at Sam’s Club. Investigation revealed that he had sold the stolen phone at an Eco ATM kiosk in Walmart for $110. Silva was arrested and faces charges of theft of property, theft by deception, and sexual battery.
