By Susan Robertson,
srobertson@vagazette.com
The Virginia Gazette
6:35 p.m. EST, January 6, 2015
WILLIAMSBURG — A Norfolk man whom police say rifled through lockers at Busch Gardens and stole items from park visitors was convicted on two counts of grand larceny Tuesday in circuit court.
Samuel David Flaskey, 32, pleaded guilty on both charges, which steam from incidents on Aug. 10 and Aug. 15. Flaskey waived indictment on both counts, proceeding on a criminal information instead.
As part of the plea agreement, Flaskey was ordered to pay restitution, including those in which charges were dropped in general district court. Judge Michael E. McGinty said Flaskey could face a combined 40 years in prison and $5,000 fine when he's sentenced on March 11.
On Aug. 30, 2014 Busch Gardens provided James City police with information regarding the theft of guests belonging in the locker area near the Verbolten roller coaster, according to criminal complaints against Flaskey. The documents indicate Flaskey was identified as a suspect and the theme park provided security footage of the locker area, which showed guests placing items in lockers and Flaskey taking them.
Cathy Black, deputy commonwealth's attorney, said Flaskey would hang out near the bank of lockers, where she noted people stow their belongings while riding the coaster but often don't lock them. She said on both days in question Flaskey was going through lockers in search of ones that were unlocked.
A criminal complaint in the Aug. 10 states a woman placed a bag next to the lockers near the wall just before 4 p.m. It notes that about 30 minutes later Flaskey is seen on video entering the area with a young boy, whom Flaskey positions in front of the bag to obstruct the view before grabbing the bag. The document indicates that the bag contained a cellphone and personal items valued at $219.
Around 10 p.m. on Aug. 15 a man reported to police that his backpack had been stolen from a locker near the coaster, according to one complaint. It states the bag contained two iPhones, credit cards, a car key, medications and two pairs of prescription sunglasses with a combined value of $1,600.
Robertson can be reached at 757-345-2342.
Source: http://www.vagazette.com/news/va-vg-cc-flaskey-larceny-plea-0107-20150106,0,4422960.story
srobertson@vagazette.com
The Virginia Gazette
6:35 p.m. EST, January 6, 2015
WILLIAMSBURG — A Norfolk man whom police say rifled through lockers at Busch Gardens and stole items from park visitors was convicted on two counts of grand larceny Tuesday in circuit court.
Samuel David Flaskey, 32, pleaded guilty on both charges, which steam from incidents on Aug. 10 and Aug. 15. Flaskey waived indictment on both counts, proceeding on a criminal information instead.
As part of the plea agreement, Flaskey was ordered to pay restitution, including those in which charges were dropped in general district court. Judge Michael E. McGinty said Flaskey could face a combined 40 years in prison and $5,000 fine when he's sentenced on March 11.
On Aug. 30, 2014 Busch Gardens provided James City police with information regarding the theft of guests belonging in the locker area near the Verbolten roller coaster, according to criminal complaints against Flaskey. The documents indicate Flaskey was identified as a suspect and the theme park provided security footage of the locker area, which showed guests placing items in lockers and Flaskey taking them.
Cathy Black, deputy commonwealth's attorney, said Flaskey would hang out near the bank of lockers, where she noted people stow their belongings while riding the coaster but often don't lock them. She said on both days in question Flaskey was going through lockers in search of ones that were unlocked.
A criminal complaint in the Aug. 10 states a woman placed a bag next to the lockers near the wall just before 4 p.m. It notes that about 30 minutes later Flaskey is seen on video entering the area with a young boy, whom Flaskey positions in front of the bag to obstruct the view before grabbing the bag. The document indicates that the bag contained a cellphone and personal items valued at $219.
Around 10 p.m. on Aug. 15 a man reported to police that his backpack had been stolen from a locker near the coaster, according to one complaint. It states the bag contained two iPhones, credit cards, a car key, medications and two pairs of prescription sunglasses with a combined value of $1,600.
Robertson can be reached at 757-345-2342.
Source: http://www.vagazette.com/news/va-vg-cc-flaskey-larceny-plea-0107-20150106,0,4422960.story
