A 32-year-old Arnold man who had been banned from Walmart for stealing was arrested after he returned and allegedly was caught shoplifting. The man also allegedly was found with drugs outside the store, 2201 Michigan Ave., Arnold Police reported.
A security officer called police at about 12:15 p.m. June 23 after the man allegedly was seen in surveillance video hiding items in his pocket while he was inside the store. He went to the store’s Lawn and Garden section and pulled out a plastic Walmart shopping bag and put something in it before purchasing a soda, the report said.
When the man saw the police, he put the bag on a counter and left the store. He was stopped outside, and officers allegedly found two utility knives and a headlight, altogether valued at $79.65, in his pockets. The officers also allegedly found the man with a pipe with residue, syringes and a baggie containing a white rock-like substance believed to be methamphetamine, according to the report.
The man was suspected in thefts from other Walmart stores and was prohibited from being in any Walmart. He was arrested and taken to the Arnold Police Station, where police learned he was wanted on a warrant from the Owensville Police for theft, the report said.
The man was held for the Owensville Police. Depending on results of the drug analysis, Arnold Police will seek charges against the man through the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, shoplifting and trespassing, Detective Lt. Jason Valentine said.