Published: June 12, 2009 09:54 pm      

Man arrested after taking beer Monday

A Lexington man was arrested Monday for misdemeanor theft by unlawful taking, alcohol intoxication and disorderly conduct after police say he allegedly stole a six-pack of beer from a local store and then fled to a nearby apartment.

Jeremiah Byrd, 35, was arrested after a confrontation with police outside a Maryland Drive apartment after an employee of Liquor Mart on the Eastern Bypass witnessed Byrd allegedly take a six-pack of beer from the store and followed him to the apartment.

Richmond Police Department spokesman Sgt. Willard Reardon said that Byrd became unruly and belligerent once police arrived, leading to the disorderly conduct and alcohol intoxication charges.

Reardon said that while police generally do not advise business owners to pursue accused shoplifters once they leave the property, the employee in this case acted safely.

“They followed the guy to the apartment and then called us, but didn’t confront him,” Reardon said. “We wouldn’t suggest confronting a shoplifter, especially if they’ve left the property.”

State law does give business owners the authority to detain alleged shoplifters while they are still on the business’ property.



Other crimes

• Jamie L. Grubb, 31, of Mount Vernon, was charged Thursday with theft by unlawful taking, more than $300, after Kohl’s employees detained her for allegedly taking $306 in merchandise.

• Two men allegedly stole 12 plants from outside Kroger on Wednesday by loading them into a car and driving away without paying, the store’s manager reported to police.

The eight alcea rosea and four boxwood plants were valued at $128.

• A Berea woman was charged with criminal trespassing and misdemeanor theft by unlawful taking Thursday after Walmart employees detained her for allegedly taking $133 in merchandise.

The woman previously had been banned from entering the store, leading to the trespassing charge.

• An apartment resident in the 200 block of Maryland Drive reported Wednesday that a $140 Garmin GPS system had been stolen from his car overnight. There were no signs of forced entry.

• An Edwards Avenue resident reported Wednesday that a rear window had been shattered on her car, which was parked in the 400 block.

The resident said she witnessed an argument involving a male armed with a baseball bat and a woman. She later heard a loud noise and saw the duo running from the scene of the shattered window.

• A black 3-gigabyte Apple iPod was reported stolen Monday from a vehicle parked outside an apartment in the 400 block of N. Keeneland Drive. The resident said the theft occurred overnight, and there were no signs of forced entry.

Anyone with information about these crimes is asked to call the Richmond Police Department at 623-1162 or 623-8911.



Brian Smith may be reached at bsmith@richmondregister.com or at 624-6694.