An employee at the Elbert Street Dollar General called 911 after she spotted an elderly man “with a birthday bag of stolen goods.”
The employee then went above and beyond, following the man to the nearby Amoco at the forks. An officer arrived and detained Bruce Wallace, 71. The birthday bag was recovered behind a nearby newspaper stand, which revealed that Wallace had managed to stuff $135 worth of store merchandise into one birthday bag.
While searching Wallace, the officer discovered a “broken glass pipe consistent with narcotic use,” and “the pipe was destroyed,” according to the incident report.
Added the incident report: “A check of Wallace’s criminal history showed approximately twelve prior convictions of Theft by Shoplifting.” Wallace was transported to the county jail and charged with one count of felony shoplifting.
IN OTHER MILLEDGEVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT NEWS:
• Somebody was arrested at Walmart after taking the stickers off of avocados and putting them on more expensive merchandise before reaching the self-checkout aisle.
Christian Kaden Coipel, listed with a Douglasville address, was charged with misdemeanor shoplifting.
IN BALDWIN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE NEWS:
• A deputy responded to the new Raceway convenience store on North Columbia Street “in reference to a hit and run.” The victim told officers that “her ex-boyfriend, Howard Kitchens, intentionally used his Ford Five Hundred to strike the driver side front door of her white in color Buick Lesabre before fleeing the scene,” according to the incident report. Added the incident report: “The driver’s side front door to be severely damaged and would not open.” Kitchens later was picked up by a deputy in Jones County, returned to Baldwin County and charged with aggravated assault/family violence and hit and run.
• Jennifer Nicole Horton, 34, was arrested and charged with felony theft by receiving following a traffic stop near the intersection of Irwinton Road and Hardwick Street. A stolen handgun was recovered from underneath the passenger’s seat. Horton claimed that the gun belonged to her boyfriend, according to the incident report. Also arrested was the driver – Penny Bracewell – who had an active warrant at the time.