BEDFORD – A Bedford man was arrested on Saturday evening, June 22nd, after allegedly shoplifting over $800 worth of merchandise from the local Walmart.
Christopher Wright, 50, of Bedford, was taken into custody on charges of theft with a prior conviction and theft greater than $750.
According to an affidavit for probable cause filed by Bedford Police Department Officer Taylor Daugherty, officers were dispatched to the Walmart located at 3200 John Williams Boulevard at approximately 9:56 p.m. The dispatch reported a male, later identified as Wright, wearing a blue shirt and a ball cap, who had left the store with a shopping cart full of unpaid items.
Upon arrival, officers located a man matching the description outside of Maurice’s, accompanied by a Walmart shopping cart and several items in a bicycle carriage that also belonged to Walmart.
Officer Turner made contact with Wright, who confirmed he had been to Walmart. After being read his Miranda Warning, Wright declined to speak further, but was advised of the complaint against him. A Walmart employee provided video surveillance footage showing Wright bypassing all points of sale and exiting the store with a cart full of merchandise.
During the interaction, Officer Daugherty read Wright his Pirtle rights, which he stated he understood and agreed to. Officers then observed a large quantity of new merchandise, still with tags and in original packaging, among the items Wright possessed.
Officer Turner subsequently informed Wright that video surveillance confirmed he had exited the store without purchasing the items. Wright was then instructed to place all unpurchased items back into the Walmart shopping cart, which he proceeded to do, emptying his bicycle carriage.
After the items were collected, they were returned to Walmart, scanned, and a receipt totaling $811.28 was generated. Wright was then handcuffed and searched, revealing two packages of carabiners in his pockets, valued at $10.66, which were also returned to the store.
Christopher Wright was transported to the Lawrence County Jail for housing. His bicycle and bicycle carriage were also taken to the jail and placed in his property. Receipts and photos of all items were documented, and Walmart advised that they would provide a copy of the surveillance video to the Bedford Police Department.
A Probable Cause Affidavit outlines the initial findings and allegations that led to an arrest. Criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
