By Rupert Howell
Investigation of an earlier  Wal-mart “shopping spree” involving a suspect loading a shopping cart and bypassing check out had just concluded when Walmart employees called police stating a known shoplifter with another cart full of merchandise was in the Batesville store Sunday afternoon.

Officer Steven McLarty’s incident report stated the suspect attempted to push the cart of merchandise past cash registers and out of the store, but then fled leaving the cart inside when confronted by employees.

The suspect was detained in the parking lot by Batesville Police officers according to the report that said additional Walmart merchandise including two ladys’ skirts and a ball cap were found in the suspect’s car.

The report also indicated the suspect had a previous shoplifting arrest in Southaven.
The earlier shoplifting incident at Walmart included a black male walking from the store with a shopping cart full of various merchandise and throwing it into the back of a small brown and white pickup according to Officer McLarty’s report.

As an employee approached the suspect he got into the truck and left leaving the cart and some of its contents behind.

The incident report stated that items left behind included: car batteries, instant potatoes, cell phone charger, air fresheners, sodas, men’s briefs (Hanes- no size specified), candy, socks, diapers, DVDs and CDs, and a pair of girls’ tights.

The brown and white pickup had a damaged driver’s side tail light.

A traffic stop Saturday, May 9 on James Street near Highway 51was under way when Panola County Rob Roberson and BPD Sergeant Michael Hardin  heard two gunshots nearby.
The officers located a shirtless man standing in the middle of Highway 51 near Tiger Drive attempting to flag down passing traffic according to Hardin’s incident report.

“The subject appeared to be very unsteady on his feet. . . The subject began to run down Gay Street toward Broadway,” Hardin’s report continued.

Hardin began to follow the suspect on foot until he stopped beside a vehicle in the carport of a residence.

“As I approached him he was leaning against the vehicle near the left rear tire and holding his hands behind his back. I ordered him to show me his hands and he stumbled away from the vehicle,” the report continued.

After questioning and the suspect realizing that officer Hardin knew he had been given the wrong name and that the resident in the home stated he did not know the suspect,  Mandarious Armstead was arrested and charged with public drunk and receiving stolen property.

During a search of the area, a Ruger 9mm was found on top of the left rear tire.

Research of the serial number revealed the weapon was stolen.

In other police department news, a May 10 report by officer Adam Campbell revealed items missing from an unlocked vehicle on Court Street were a bottle of Xanax and about $3 in change left in the upholder.

The crime occurred between the hours of 10:30 and 1 p.m. while the couple was at church.