From: Hannibal Police Department
Date: January 24, 2012
Phone: 573-221-0987
Fax: 573-221-3966
Contact: Lt. John Zerbonia
Officers of the Hannibal Police Department were called to Wal-Mart located at 3650 Stardust, at 11:58 a.m. Monday morning for a report of stealing. The officers were advised the Loss Prevention employees were following two subjects concealing several items on their person and in shopping carts. When officers arrived they arrested a male subject, 46 year old John Benson of Randolph MN, after Loss Prevention followed him past the check out and the exits. The other subject, 28 year old Sonya Hernandez of Austin MN, was located and arrested, by officers, in the parking lot at the suspects’ vehicle. Consent to search the suspects’ vehicle was obtained and officers located multiple flat screen televisions, entertainment systems, several boxes of diapers, laminate flooring, multiple bottles of detergent, bedding, various items of clothing and numerous other items believed to be stolen. The stolen items recovered were located in the bed of the suspects’ full sized truck and a 5ft. x 8ft. enclosed trailer attached to the truck. It is believed the suspects had stolen the items throughout the states of Missouri, Iowa, and Minnesota. Some of the stores that may have been targeted are Wal-Mart, Menards, Home Depot, Lowes, and Target. Hernandez and Benson were placed on 24 holds at the Marion County Jail.
On January 24, 2012 warrants were issued in the 10th Judicial Circuit Court of Marion County on Sonya Hernandez and John Benson, charging them with Felony Theft and Receiving Stolen Property. The bond was set at $50,000.00 cash only. Both suspects remain in the Marion County Jail.
A criminal charge is merely an allegation and the defendant is, of course, presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.