BEDFORD — A routine shoplifting call at the Bedford Walmart on October 10 quickly escalated after police identified the suspect as a repeat offender, leading to a felony theft charge.
Christopher S. Wright, 51, who is listed as homeless, was taken into custody after store Asset Protection personnel detained him following an alleged attempt to walk out with $372.66 worth of merchandise.
The incident began at approximately 4:14 p.m. on Friday, October 10, when Bedford Police Department Dispatch received a report of a theft in progress at the Walmart located at 3200 John Williams Boulevard. The caller advised that the male suspect was being detained in the store’s Asset Protection office.
Upon arrival, Officer Michael Bell entered the office and immediately recognized the suspect, Christopher Wright, from previous encounters, a recognition that also alerted the officer to Wright’s history of theft convictions. After confirming with Asset Protection staff that they intended to pursue charges, Officer Bell placed Wright into handcuffs.
The probable cause affidavit details the events leading up to the detainment.
According to Asset Protection, staff were monitoring the floor when they noticed Wright, whom they recognized from a “previous run-in.” Wright was observed walking out of the toy section carrying both a bicycle and an armful of merchandise.” The staff followed him as he made his way toward the front of the store.
The key moment occurred when Wright allegedly entered a sports memorabilia section of the store, where he “turns to pretend he is looking at something and pulls a Walmart bag from his pocket.” Wright then proceeded to bag the items he had been holding, all the while “watching his surroundings.” After finishing, he bypassed all operational points of sale by walking through an unopened, manned register and exiting the main doors. That is when the Asset Protection team stopped Wright.
Once in the rear of Officer Jones’ patrol vehicle, Wright was read his Miranda Warnings. He then admitted to stealing the merchandise.
The Bedford Police Department confirmed that Wright has prior theft convictions, specifically citing two cases from 2018. Because of this criminal history, Wright is being charged with theft with a previous conviction, which elevates the charge to a felony under Indiana law, regardless of the value of the goods.
Wright was also issued a trespass notification banning him from the property. Officer Jones transported him to the Lawrence County Jail for housing. Walmart recovered all the stolen merchandise.
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.
