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Friday, May 30, 2025

Riesbeck Pick and Save Burglary Defendant Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison

May 28, 2025, Marc A. Lucas of Columbus, OH, appeared before Judge Anderson to plead guilty to charges that stem from Lucas burglarizing the Riesbeck Pick and Save in Zanesville.

Lucas pleaded guilty to Burglary, a felony of the second-degree, Possession of Cocaine, a felony of the fifth degree, and Illegal Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.

At his plea, Lucas and his defense attorney, considering prosecution evidence, waived a pre-sentence investigation and immediately moved into sentencing.

At the hearing, Judge Anderson imposed a six (6) year prison sentence.

Case Details:

The case arises from the early morning hours of February 24, 2025, when Karyl Blay drove Lucas in his mother’s Kia, to the Riesbeck Pick and Save located at 800 Howard St. in Zanesville. The store was closed; however, staff was inside restocking the shelves. Lucas exited the passenger side of the Kia wearing a mask and gloves. Lucas then forced open the door of the store, setting off silent alarms that immediately dispatched Zanesville Police Department officers to the location.

Lucas proceeded to climb over the cash counter, where he remained undetected for close to an hour. While behind the counter Lucas stuffed his backpack and a trash bag with more than $3,900 worth of cigarettes. At this point officers arrived and entered the store; however, the employees did not realize an intruder was in the store and told officers it must be a false alarm. Officers then left the store.

As the Officers were leaving, they came into contact with Blay in the parking lot and discovered she had an active warrant. Blay was placed under arrest and the Kia was impounded. Once police left, Lucas fled the store with his stolen merchandise. Realizing that his ride, Blay, was gone, he stashed the stolen merchandise behind an air-conditioning unit next to the store.

Lucas proceeded to walk down Howard where he ended up coming into contact with the officer who arrested Blay. Lucas asked the officer about the location of the Kia and was given an informational sheet on how to retrieve the car.

Lucas then returned to collect the stolen merchandise that he stashed. When he returned for the stolen merchandise, he left the informational sheet that was given to him by the arresting officer at the scene.

Soon after, store management discovered the theft while reviewing security footage of the silent alarm. Security footage revealed Lucas entering the store and hiding under the counter. After discovering the burglary, management notified law enforcement who were able to quickly identify Lucas, despite the mask, because of him talking with the officer as he was walking on Howard Street.

Lucas informed police he was going to pick up the Kia from impound on March 7th. Police immediately arrested Lucas upon his arrival at the impound lot and a standard search was performed. During the search it was discovered that Lucas brought crack cocaine and a crack pipe with him to the police impound lot.

Assistant Prosecutor Warren Edwards commented on the defendant’s capture, stating “The defendant’s attempt to conceal his identity during a crime was not successful thanks to the awareness and hard work of the Zanesville Police Department.”

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