Lifted Bacon Lands Shoplifter Behind Bars
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WATER VALLEY – A Water Valley man is behind bars with two shoplifting charges from the same store within a five-day period.
Chief Jason Mangrum reported Bernard White, 52, allegedly stole $162 worth of bacon from the Dollar General Store on Central Street, stuffing the packages in his pants on August 8. He returned to the store on August 12 and allegedly stole additional items.
Mangrum reported officers responded to the store on August 12 and both incidents were reported. Officers spotted the suspect later that day on Edgefield Street and a foot chase followed.
“He was finally apprehended after he tried to hide under a house on Martin Street Cove,” Mangrum said.
White was charged with shoplifting, second for the August 8 incident. He was charged with resisting arrest, possession of paraphernalia and shoplifting second and trespassing for the August 12 incident.
“We charged him with trespassing because he was ordered not to be on the property,” the chief added.
White is currently housed in the county jail serving sentence on other shoplifting charges in the city, all at the same Dollar General store, according to chief. He was sentenced to serve additional days from the latest charges.
Mangrum said the shoplifting charges are misdemeanors, adding that a felony is triggered when the value of stolen items reaches $1,000 within a 30-day period.
“The most White has accumulated is $784 in a 30 day period,” he added.
Mangrum also reported Preston Chace of Oxford was arrested on August 9 following a traffic stop on Blackmur Drive. The chief said officers stopped Chace after his vehicle matched the description in a Lafayette County BOLO (Be On The Lookout) issued earlier that day. Mangrum said the BOLO was issued for stolen credit cards.
“These officers were observant and recognized the vehicle,” Mangrum said.
During the stop, officers detected the odor of an intoxicating beverage and launched a DUI investigation. Chace was determined to be over the legal limit to operate a motor vehicle and charged with DUI, second offense. Officers also found a clear baggie inside the vehicle with a crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine and he was also charged with possession of a controlled substance, Schedule II. Stolen credit cards were located inside to the vehicle and turned over to law enforcement officials from Lafayette County.
