A man detained Thursday for shoplifting at the south-side Walmart turned out to be a suspect in the theft of a pickup truck from the north-side Walmart Neighborhood Market store, according to Abilene police reports.

Police were dispatched to the south-side store at 4250 Southwest Drive at about 4:50 p.m. after the store’s asset protection staff observed the 25-year-old man conceal a cellphone, put on a new pair tennis shoes and walk out of the store without paying for the items. 

Police discovered that the man had three previous theft convictions and had been warned from all Walmart locations, a report said. The suspect also had the keys to the stolen truck, which was parked behind the south-side store. The pickup had been reported missing earlier that day from the store at 1619 Ambler Ave.

During a search of the suspect, police also found a small amount of marijuana and methamphetamine, the report said.

The suspect was charged with theft of a motor vehicle, theft of property, criminal trespass, possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana. He was taken to Taylor County Jail, and his bonds total more than $53,000.

Other reports released Friday by Abilene police include:

► Burglary of habitation and fraudulent use/possession of identifying information, 2500 block of South 10th Street, Thursday

A witness reported that at about 11 p.m. a suspicious pickup was backed up to the garage of an abandoned house. The garage door was open when police arrived, and a woman was in the driver’s side seat and a man in the passenger’s side seat. The owner of the house arrived and identified several items in the truck that belonged in the house and stated that the two suspects did not have permission to take them. While searching the vehicle, police also found multiple forms of identification not belonging to the two suspects. They were taken to jail.

► Public intoxication, 3500 block of Cedar Run Road, Thursday

Several people at an apartment complex reported at about 4:40 p.m. a man, whom police described as having the odor of alcohol on his breath, asking them for a ride to pick up his paycheck. The man wandered over to a construction site and, when later located by police, was wearing a hardhat. The man was unsteady on his feet and had glossy eyes. The man was taken to jail.

► Warrants, 4000 block of Lynwood Lane, Thursday

Abilene police arrested a 17-year-old and an 18-year-old on warrants out of Callahan County. The two males each face charges of burglary of a vehicle and state-jail felony theft of a firearm.

More: Abilene police: Intoxicated man struck officer in face during arrest

More: Abilene police arrest intoxicated man found napping behind air conditioner

More: Abilene police: Man walking with pole saw arrested on multiple charges

Laura Gutschke is a general assignment reporter and food columnist and manages online content for the Reporter-News.  If you appreciate locally driven news, you can support local journalists with a digital subscription to ReporterNews.com. 

Read or Share this story: https://www.reporternews.com/story/news/crime/2020/08/28/abilene-police-walmart-shoplifter-also-arrested-stealing-pickup-trailer-crime-blotter/5658176002/