BEDFORD — The Bedford Police Department arrested a man accused of carrying out a string of thefts at the Walmart in Bedford, following an investigation that utilized social media and body camera footage to identify the suspect.
Paul A. Diehl, 52, of Bedford, faces three preliminary charges of theft, according to a probable cause affidavit filed November 4, 2026, by Det. Maj. Kye Louden. Diehl is noted in court documents as currently being out on bond for pending, unrelated criminal charges.
The investigation began on October 27 when Walmart Asset Protection Associate Scott Carpenter contacted police regarding two recent shoplifting incidents involving the same male suspect. Bedford Police reviewed the security footage and posted images of the suspect on the department’s Facebook page to request assistance with identification.
Two days later, Carpenter notified investigators that a former asset protection employee, Alisha Myrsa-Hinkle, had recognized the man in the Facebook post as Diehl. Myrsa-Hinkle had previously investigated Diehl following an unfiled incident in February 2026 involving ticket-switching, where she obtained his name from a debit card transaction.
Additionally, Bedford Police Officer Blackburn confirmed the suspect’s identity after recognizing Diehl from a recent, unrelated law enforcement encounter that had been recorded on his body-worn camera. Det. Maj. Louden attempted to contact Diehl at his last known address on Edgewood Drive but received no answer, prompting the warrant request.
Investigative timeline of alleged thefts:
On February 11, 2026, a Walmart cashier confronted Diehl after noticing expensive tools were ticket-switched to ring up for just $12.59, prompting him to abandon the merchandise and quickly exit the store
At 11:43 a.m. on October 17, 2026, Diehl selected automotive items and moved to the housewares department to remove the security wire and unbox a radio, and exited the general merchandise doors at 12:05 p.m. with the concealed items without offering payment
At 8:08 p.m. on October 24, 202,6 Diehl selects binoculars in the sporting goods section, removes the security wire in the automotive department, attempts to scan a drink at the register, and exits the grocery doors at 9:04 p.m. without paying for the concealed binoculars
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.
