Saavedra
A shoplifter in Lake Geneva is headed to prison for two years after admitting that he set fire to the vehicle of a Walmart employee who turned him in to police.
Jeremy A. Saavedra, 32, of Bloomfield, struck a plea deal with prosecutors in Walworth County involving an incident that occurred March 23 at the Walmart store at 201 Edwards Boulevard.
Saavedra pleaded guilty to felony counts of arson and damaging or threatening a witness’ property. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to drop another felony charge of intimidating a witness.
Circuit Judge Phillip Koss approved the plea deal Aug. 10 and sentenced Saavedra to two years in prison, along with another two years of probation. He also must pay restitution of $4,633.
Prosecutors alleged that Saavedra stole a shopping cart full of merchandise March 21 from the Lake Geneva Walmart. After a store employee called police and helped to identify Saavedra as the suspect, the employee’s car was found on fire two days later in the store parking lot.
Security camera footage showed Saavedra walking to the employee’s car with a red gas can, then running away after the fire started.
In the plea deal, the defendant also pleaded guilty to misdemeanor counts of retail theft, disorderly conduct and bail jumping.
Lake Benedict resort during controlled burn
A town of Randall firefighter keeps watch of a fire during a controlled burn at the old Lake Benedict resort.
Upstairs collapsing at old Lake Benedict Resort
Portions of the upstairs collapse at the old Lake Benedict resort during a controlled burn Saturday in the town of Randall.
Firefighters at Lake Benedict resort
Town of Randall Fire Firefighters monitor the scene during a controlled burn at the former Lake Benedict resort on Saturday morning.
Firefighters keeping watch
Firefighters keep watch of a controlled burn to ensure the fire does not spread to nearby buildings Dec. 7 at the former Lake Benedict Restaurant resort property in the town of Randall.
Keeping watch
Town of Randall Firefighters keep watch of a controlled burn off of Lake Benedict.
Controlled burn at Lake Benedict resort
Many fire departments are struggling to attract and retain firefighters and other employees or volunteers.
Standing watch
Firefighters in the town of Randall hoped a controlled burn would be completed on Saturday afternoon, but the property owner warned it could smolder for a couple of days.
Controlled burn on Lake Benedict
Town of Randall firefighters train during a controlled burn off of Lake Benedict on Saturday morning.
Controlled burn in the town of Randall
Firefighters monitor a controlled burn at the old Lake Benedict resort Saturday in the town of Randall.
