Last Wednesday, May 29, an officer with the Minden Police Department (MPD) was dispatched to Save-A-Lot for an alleged theft. 

The officer located a male near the intersection of Plum Street and Talton Street, later identified as Valentin Guerrero, 24, of Homer. Once the officer made contact with Guerrero, he admitted to being intoxicated. He then attempted to place Guerrero in handcuffs, but he refused to place his hands behind his back. Back-up was called and two officers were able to forcefully place Guerrero’s hands behind his back and handcuff him. 

The officer had assistant manager Melody Palmer identify Guerrero as the suspect. Security footage showed him leaving the store carrying two cases of beer valued at $24.83.  Palmer provided a security video showing Guerrero leaving the store carrying two cases of beer. Witnesses reported that Geurrero was seen placing the two cases of beer in a garbage can. The police officers were able to recover them and return them to Save-A-Lot. 

Guerrero was transported to MPD. He is also a fugitive from Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office and facing charges of theft, disturbing the peace by intoxication, and resisting an officer.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.