Date of News Release: 05/28/2015
(FRANKFORT, Ky.) - Kentucky State Police Post 12 Frankfort, in conjunction with the Kroger loss prevention Organized Crime Division have been conducting undercover transactions in the Lexington Metro area over the past month.
The investigations continued today as multiple agencies served two search warrants at local Lexington businesses. At Progress Mini Market located at 600 S. Limestone KSP, along with agents from the ABC, Kentucky Department of Revenue, Kroger loss prevention executed a search warrant as the result of stolen items from Kroger's being bought for pennies on the dollar. Arrested and charged with 4 counts of Engaging in Organized Crime was Ahmed Said Ismail, age 30, of Lexington, KY. Also at this location during the execution of the warrant KSP interrupted a narcotics transaction resulting in the arrest of Derjuan Watkins, age 30, of Louisville, KY, for possession of heroin and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon. Located inside the Progress Market was another semi-automatic handgun near the register.
KSP and additional agencies converged on the Eastland Food Mart located at 1541 Eastland Parkway in Lexington. Similar transactions had occurred in the past weeks utilizing stolen merchandise from Kroger's. Arrested and charged with Engaging in Organized Crime was Deepamkumas Patel, age 40, of Decatur, GA. Also cited to court for the same charges was Jagrutibahen D. Patel, age 41, of Lexington, KY.
Kentucky State Police was assisted in the investigation by Kentucky State Police Canine, Alcohol Beverage Control, Kentucky Department of Revenue, Kroger Loss Prevention, and Lexington Metro Police Department.
KSP will continue these investigations and more charges are expected.
