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Man wanted locally and nationally for over 100 alleged retail thefts

A Michigan man is accused of adding the Butler Township Walmart to a list of more than 100 alleged retail targets.

Butler Township Police filed charges Monday against Hakeem El-Sabbagh Black, 19, of Flint, Mich., including felony counts retail theft and possessing stolen property after he allegedly stole $2,043 in gift cards and items on April 30. Black remains at large.

Police said the suspect was unidentified during their initial investigation, but Walmart Global later provided Black’s identity.

“(The Walmart Global employee) explained that Black is currently (involved) in 110 events throughout the country,” police said.

Walmart Global employees gave officers Black’s description, and his appearance has remained consistent across the encounters. Police said they were able to match the description with stills from the Butler Township store’s security footage.

“(A Walmart Global employee) said that (Black) almost always is carrying a ‘fanny pack’ that he has slung around in front of him, which is something that’s not commonly worn by males this day and age,” police said.

Police said Black also commonly uses a Jeep with Florida plates in most of the incidents.

Police said at 9:17 a.m. April 30 Black entered the store.

“(Black) took a hoodie and two pairs of pants to the cash register with four gift cards,” police said in the affidavit.

Police said Black then tricked the cashier, using a Walmart Shop Card that had a direction written on it to run the card as a cash transaction. Police said in two separate transactions Black stuck the card into the reader and instructed the cashier to hit the cash button on the register.

Police said by doing so, the transactions would have required cash payments, and instead Black walked away with $2,000 in gift cards and the clothing items.

Once Black is arrested, he will be arraigned, issued a bond and scheduled for a preliminary hearing before District Judge Kevin O’Donnell.

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