A 33-year-old Davenport man was in custody Friday after police allege other people paid him to steal from Walmart.
Kamaron Hester faces a felony charge of ongoing criminal conduct – unlawful activity, court records show.
Between June 14, 2023, and Dec. 30, 2023, Davenport Police allege Hester was observed inside Walmart, 3101 W. Kimberly Road, “concealing items a total of 14 times,” arrest affidavits say.
During several of those times, Hester was observed getting in and out of a co-defendant’s white Ford Expedition. During one of the thefts, the co-defendant was observed inside the store “selecting items and provided them to the defendant who stole the items,” affidavits say.
Police allege in affidavits the total value of thefts during these incidents was $2,889.72.
Hester, police allege, is a suspect in numerous other retail thefts including Walmart on Elmore, Target, Kwik Star and Walgreens. “Based on several of these thefts, numerous warrants were issued for (Hester’s) arrest,” according to affidavits.
Affidavits show that, on Thursday, Hester was located in the area of 15th and Scott streets and ran from uniformed patrol officers but was arrested a short distance away. After he was read his Miranda Rights, he admitted to several of the thefts, police allege in affidavits.
Hester “admitted he gets paid money to steal items from several different people and they contact him and put in their order,” police allege in affidavits. “(He) admitted the co-defendant would give him rides to Walmart and would give (Hester) a list of items to steal.”
Hester “estimated to stealing 20 times from Walmart with the co-defendant and made $20-$50 from each theft,” affidavits show.
The ongoing criminal conduct charge – unlawful activity charge is a Class B felony which, upon conviction, carries a sentence of up to 25 years.
Hester, who was being held Friday in Scott County Jail on a total $42,000 cash-only bond, is set for a preliminary hearing March 8 in Scott County Court.
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