Today is the last shopping day before Christmas and that means last minute shoppers should be aware of holiday crime. Joy Sutton reports. During this time of year police say shop lifting increases by about 25 percent. And you won't believe what has been the biggest item to steal.
Police say some shopping areas have had items stolen out of vehicles and businesses burglarized.
But Valley View Mall is one shopping center that is trying to deter crime and has teamed with the police department. Police say the bike patrols have helped reduce the number of purse snatchings and vehicle break-ins. Inside the mall uniformed Roanoke City police officers are on patrol as well as mall security ready to respond and to assist with situations. Michael Fulcher is asking a Roanoke federal judge to dismiss charges against him, his wife and his mother. The defense also claims that Fulcher and his family got involved in a drug ring to bust guards involved in a marijuana and money-laundering conspiracy.