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Two arrested in Gameroom thefts

Posted at 5:27 PM, Aug 14, 2019
and last updated 2019-08-14 19:25:33-04

OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) -- — Two people are arrested in an alleged theft ring between two video game stores, Gameroom and Gamers. Police are still investigating if more charges or arrests will be made.

OPD indicates that between June and July 2019, the Gameroom near 72nd & Dodge St. was robbed 7 times of thousands of dollars worth of equipment.

"It's hard to watch your business be affected because of things outside of your direct control,” said Chris Thompson, owner of Gameroom.

Police arrest both 19-year-old Anthony Rodriguez, a former employee of Gamers, and 33-year-old Phillip Williams, a current Gamers employee and former Gameroom worker, for felony theft.

This month OPD issued a search warrant at the Gamers Lincoln location finding 5 stolen systems.

Rodriguez told police the Gamers owner, David Mitchell, had him steal the goods to sell at their Lincoln location. Mitchell denies the allegation.

"It definitely hit me hard, it definitely hurt me because this is a person who I trusted," Mitchell explained.

Mitchell said Rodriguez sold the items to the Gamers stores on his own, only a few items at a time so the store wouldn't be alerted.

Police say Williams used a key to break in to Gameroom and was about to steal items when confronted.

Both will be back in court august 27.