Crime & Safety

POLICE: Man Posed as Burnsville Walmart Employee, Stole Over 50 Electronic Gadgets

Aaron Alexander Holmes, of Brooklyn Center, is accused of pawning over $20,000 worth of stolen electronics.

A Brooklyn Center man is accused of purloining a large number of iPads and other electronics from a Burnsville Walmart—first as an actual employee, then as an impostor.

Police say that 28-year-old Aaron Alexander Holmes was fired from the Burnsville Walmart in mid-March. Nevertheless, on April 28 he allegedly donned the standard Walmart uniform—a blue shirt and khaki pants, complete with name tag—and headed to the store. Once inside, he approached an employee who was "very busy" and tricked them into giving him a walkie-talkie and a set of keys. Holmes quickly made off with three Apple iPads, collectively valued at $1,697.

The next day, Holmes appeared at the store again and took three more iPads while an accomplice distracted the staff. On his way out, he was confronted by Walmart employees, but managed to get away before police arrived.

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Store management positively identified the suspect seen on surveillance as Holmes.

According to the criminal complaint, the six stolen iPads are just the tip of the iceberg. A search of pawn store records revealed that Holmes sold 56 high value electronic items from Nov. 3, 2012 through April 24, 2013. The total retail value of the pawned items and the six missing tops $20,000.

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Holmes has been charged with receiving stolen property, a felony with a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. He remains in custody at the Dakota County Jail, held on a $30,000 bond. The bond will be reduced to $15,000 if Holmes agrees to abide by the court's conditions, among them: Stay away from the Walmart. 

His next court appearance is scheduled for June 4.


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