Tipster Watching ‘FBI Most Wanted’ Leads to La Mesa Woman’s Arrest

Thanks to a tip growing out of a local TV broadcast, La Mesa police last month arrested a woman suspected of shoplifting hundreds of dollars worth of electronics from the Target in Grossmont Center, the FBI says.

Kimberly Dawn Roehr of La Mesa was arrested about 10 a.m. Friday, May 13, at her home by La Mesa police detective Sean Snow, according to police Capt. Carlos Medero. Roehr was booked on four counts of burglary and one count of receiving stolen property from incidents on Jan. 17, Jan. 19 and Feb. 20, the FBI said Thursday.

“The suspect entered the Target and went directly to the electronics and gaming area, where she was captured on video surveillance selecting numerous items and removing their electronic security devices,” said an FBI press release.

“The suspect concealed the merchandise in a large tote bag and walked out of the store without paying for the merchandise. All of the thefts occurred in less than five minutes. On at least one occasion, the suspect disguised her appearance with a wig and dark sunglasses.”

La Mesa police detectives created a crime bulletin, with photographs of the suspect taken from surveillance video and details of the crimes. The bulletin was distributed to San Diego County law enforcement agencies, including the San Diego office of the FBI.

The FBI featured the Target burglary series on its San Diego’s Most Wanted—The FBI Files TV program on March 19 and March 20. That episode was rebroadcast in early May, 2011.

“The FBI received a tip from a citizen who recognized the suspect, and provided information on the suspect’s identity. LMPD detectives were able to match known photographs of the suspect to the surveillance video,” the FBI said.

“The suspect was on felony probation, and a search of her residence turned up evidence linking her to the crimes.”

In early 2011, the La Mesa Police Department began working closely with the “San Diego’s Most Wanted—The FBI Files” program, to increase partnership between the La Mesa Police Department and the San Diego office of the FBI in an effort to apprehend wanted criminals.

The FBI said the Most Wanted program provides the community a means to forward anonymous information to assist police in solving open cases.

“In turn, the tipsters become eligible for cash rewards while maintaining their anonymity and helping to improve quality of life in our community. The La Mesa Police Department maintains a similarly close relationship with the San Diego Crime Stoppers program.”

Story updated at 3:10 p.m. June 17, 2011.