On September 25, 2025, Bloomington police officers made phone contact with a reporting party, who is a loss prevention investigator for the NBA Store located at 243 West Market Bloomington, Hennepin County, Minnesota, regarding a past-action theft investigation. Loss prevention identified the suspect as a former employee who had worked at the store until the beginning of August 2025, when he quit. Officers used DVS records to confirm the individual as Edgar Fransisco Zapata-Wirtz ([DOB REDACTED], hereafter “Defendant”). The address and phone number provided by loss prevention matched Defendant’s identifying information.
According to loss prevention, Defendant was involved in 12 separate incidents in which he sold store merchandise for significantly less than market value without authorization. Loss prevention reported that Defendant sold jerseys priced at approximately $120.00 for as little as $1.00. Loss prevention further stated they had surveillance video for 12 of the 14 identified incidents. Officers reviewed the surveillance footage and confirmed the employee depicted in the videos matched Defendant. The footage showed Defendant providing unauthorized discounts to customers.
Officers observed Defendant’s ringing and bagging behavior would change depending on whether other employees were nearby. When employees were in the area, Defendant would slowly process transactions, remove hangers, and fold jerseys. When no employees were nearby, Defendant would quickly process the discounted transactions before removing hangers or folding merchandise. Customers shown in the videos did not appear surprised by the significantly reduced prices, indicating they appeared to expect the discounts.
Officers also observed repeat customers involved in multiple transactions. Officers reviewed transaction records and itemized receipts provided by loss prevention. The records showed fraudulent markdowns conducted by Defendant on the following dates and times: July 1, 2025, at 8:12 P.M., resulting in a loss of $1,027.99 July 1, 2025, at 8:40 P.M., resulting in a loss of $2,079.00 July 8, 2025, at 7:23 P.M., resulting in a loss of $1,615.98 July 10, 2025, at 7:37 P.M., resulting in a loss of $1,467.99 July 11, 2025, at 7:06 P.M., resulting in a loss of $2,154.94 July 14, 2025, at 7:30 P.M., resulting in a loss of $1,092.00 July 14, 2025, at 8:34 P.M., resulting in a loss of $1,879.00 July 17, 2025, at 7:44 P.M., resulting in a loss of $767.79 July 17, 2025, at 7:52 P.M., resulting in a loss of $1,255.99 July 22, 2025, at 7:43 P.M., resulting in a loss of $1,216.00 July 29, 2025, at 7:52 P.M., resulting in a loss of $870.98 July 29, 2025, at 7:59 P.M., resulting in a loss of $1,786.00 The total confirmed loss captured on surveillance video was $10,335.75. Defendant is currently out of custody.
