On Monday, May 27, 2024, three male suspects were selling candy bars in front of Wegmans in Medford when they encountered an employee outside in the parking lot. The employee, who has a cognitive impairment, was forced to hand over all his money to the suspects. The suspects, who seem to be part of a larger group, target shopping plazas and attempt to sell candy under the guise of fundraising for various sports teams.
Yesterday evening, one of the suspects from Monday’s incident returned to Wegmans with another individual to continue their fraudulent activities. Thanks to the alertness of store employees and our detail officers, the suspects were promptly identified, and it was confirmed that they were connected to the previous incident.
As a result, Latavius Martez Owens, 27, of Memphis, Tennessee, was arrested and charged with Larceny from a Person and Trespassing.
This investigation is ongoing, and we are actively working to identify other individuals involved in this scheme. Additional charges will be pursued as necessary.
Scammers often prey on vulnerable populations, exploiting their trust and inflicting financial and emotional distress. The Medford Police Department remains resolute in our commitment to protecting our community and holding these criminals accountable.
If you have any information related to this case or believe you may have been a victim of this scam, please contact the Medford Police Detective Division at 781-391-6767.