BEDFORD — A Norman man found himself facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges on October 20, 2026, after attempting to walk out of the Bedford Walmart with unpaid merchandise and subsequently smuggling narcotics into the county jail, according to a probable cause affidavit filed by Bedford Police Officer Zakry E. Brooking.
Robert M. Hilderbrand, 28, was taken into custody following an afternoon incident at the store located at 3200 John Williams Boulevard.
According to police reports, officers were dispatched to the store at approximately 3:10 p.m. on October 20 after Walmart Asset Protection Officer Scott Carpenter detained a suspect in the office.
Carpenter reported observing Hilderbrand over a two-hour period as he selected items and concealed them in a bag on the bottom of his shopping cart. At approximately 2:53 p.m., Hilderbrand conducted transactions at the Auto Care Center point of sale but failed to scan the concealed merchandise before attempting to exit the area.
Store staff recovered a total of 17 un-scanned items valued at $161.87, including cosmetics, body lotion, hair care products, facial scrubs, and women’s shaving equipment.
When questioned by police, Hilderbrand exhibited erratic behavior and claimed he had placed items he previously purchased in a bag that accidentally covered the un-scanned goods.
Drugs Found in Search and Jail Intake
During an initial safety check at the scene, Hilderbrand admitted to carrying knives and marijuana in his bag. A probable cause search by officers yielded:
- A metal marijuana grinder containing a green plant-like substance that tested positive for marijuana.
- A glass smoking device containing crystal-like residue that tested positive for methamphetamine.
- Unopened women’s shaving razor blades belonging to Walmart, which were returned to store staff.
Hilderbrand was handcuffed, placed in a patrol vehicle, and transported to the Lawrence County Jail.
However, the situation escalated during the booking process. Lawrence County Jail staff discovered a clear plastic pill bottle with a pink lid hidden inside Hilderbrand’s underwear. Inside the container, staff located a blue lighter and a clear plastic bag containing a crystal-like substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamine.
Because the illicit substance was smuggled past security checkpoints and into a correctional facility, prosecutors added a felony charge of trafficking with an inmate alongside charges of theft, drug possession, and possession of paraphernalia.
At Hilderbrand’s request, officers contacted his girlfriend to secure his legally purchased belongings and retrieve his vehicle from the scene. Hilderbrand remains in the custody of the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office.
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.
