SPRINGVILLE – A Bedford man, Ian Crosby, 20, has been accused of theft and false reporting following an alleged shoplifting incident at a Dollar General store in Springville on June 18, 2025.
According to an affidavit for probable cause filed by Lawrence County Police Department Deputy Kyle Long, the incident occurred around 9:06 p.m. at the Dollar General located on State Road 54 West. A Dollar General employee reported that a male entered the store, stole alcohol, and then left in a white vehicle. The employee was able to note the license plate number.
Upon arrival, Deputy Long reviewed surveillance footage which reportedly showed a male, identified as Ian Crosby, concealing a bottle of wine in his pants pocket and leaving without paying. Employees wished to press charges.
Further investigation using the department’s Flock camera system led Deputy Long to a vehicle matching the description. Through connections with family members, Deputy Long was able to positively identify the suspect in the surveillance footage as Ian Crosby.
When contacted, Crosby initially denied being at the store or taking any alcohol, claiming he was in Linton and did not drink or drive. He also suggested a friend might have used the vehicle. However, after speaking with the vehicle’s owner and a witness, it was revealed that Crosby had indeed used the vehicle on the night of the incident. The vehicle owner also provided a screenshot of a text message from Crosby, which read, “If they call, say you were using the car last night.”
Deputy Long requested a warrant for Crosby’s arrest on charges of theft and making a false report. He was detained on Monday, July 21.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the Probable Cause Affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
