DAPHNE, Ala. — Three people accused in a Daphne Walmart theft involving packages of meat did not get far after leaving the store. Daphne police tracked down their vehicle a short distance away on U.S. 98, stopped it and charged all three with fourth-degree theft of property.
The case began at the Walmart at 27520 U.S. 98, where employees spotted the alleged shoplifting. By the time officers arrived, the three had already left, but quick communication from the store gave police enough information to find them.
How the stop came together
Store workers contacted the Daphne Police Department to report the theft. They told dispatchers that three people had gotten into a vehicle and were driving toward Interstate 10.
Officers located the vehicle soon afterward near the McDonald’s restaurant at 29138 U.S. 98 and pulled it over. The three people inside were taken into custody in connection with the theft.
The sequence highlights how much officers rely on timely, specific information from businesses. A description of the vehicle and its direction of travel allowed patrol units to focus their search on a particular stretch of road rather than canvassing the whole area.
The charges
According to Daphne’s police chief, all three are accused of taking meat from the store. Each was charged with theft of property in the fourth degree, an offense that also covers what is commonly called retail theft, for merchandise valued at $500 or less.
Fourth-degree theft of property is a Class A misdemeanor in Alabama. Police have not said exactly how much meat was taken or its precise value, beyond the charge reflecting a value of $500 or less, and have not said whether the merchandise was returned to the store.
Police said all three have been scheduled for a court date. As with any criminal case, each person charged is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Because the case involves misdemeanor allegations, South AL News is not naming the three people charged.
Quick facts
- Store: Walmart, 27520 U.S. 98, Daphne
- Items allegedly taken: Meat
- Where the vehicle was stopped: Near the McDonald’s at 29138 U.S. 98
- Number charged: Three
- Charge: Theft of property in the fourth degree, a Class A misdemeanor
- Status: Court dates have been scheduled
What a Class A misdemeanor means in Alabama
Alabama divides misdemeanors into three classes, A, B and C, with Class A the most serious. A conviction for a Class A misdemeanor can carry up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $6,000. In practice, sentences for first-time, low-value theft offenses often fall well short of the maximum and may include fines, restitution to the store, probation or diversion programs, depending on the court and the person’s record.
Alabama grades theft largely by value. Fourth-degree theft covers property worth $500 or less. Theft of property valued at more than $500 up to $1,500 is third-degree theft, more than $1,500 up to $2,500 is second-degree theft, and anything above $2,500 is first-degree theft. The higher degrees are felonies. Using force or threatening someone during a theft can turn the case into a robbery charge, which is far more serious, but police did not describe any such allegation in this case.
How misdemeanor cases proceed
Misdemeanor cases filed by city police departments in Alabama are often handled in municipal court, while others proceed in county district court. Unlike felony cases, misdemeanors do not go to a grand jury. A defendant appears before a judge, enters a plea and either resolves the case through an agreement or proceeds to a trial before the judge.
Defendants in misdemeanor cases have the right to an attorney, and those who cannot afford one may ask the court to appoint counsel. A defendant convicted in a lower court generally has the right to appeal to circuit court for a new trial.
Lasting consequences of a theft conviction
Although fourth-degree theft is a misdemeanor, a conviction can have effects that last well beyond any fine or jail time. Theft offenses are considered crimes involving dishonesty, and a record of one can show up on background checks used by employers, landlords and licensing boards. Repeat theft convictions can also lead to tougher treatment by courts in later cases.
Alabama law does allow some criminal records to be expunged, or removed from public view, when certain conditions are met, such as when charges are dismissed or after a waiting period for some lower-level offenses. Eligibility depends on the specific facts of each case, and people facing charges are generally advised to discuss their options with an attorney.
About Daphne and the U.S. 98 corridor
Daphne sits on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay in Baldwin County and is one of the county’s largest cities. U.S. 98 runs through the heart of Daphne and serves as one of its main commercial corridors, lined with shopping centers, restaurants and big-box stores that serve residents from across the Eastern Shore.
Interstate 10 also passes through Daphne, connecting the city to Mobile across the bay to the west and to Florida to the east. Easy access to the interstate is one reason retail theft suspects may try to leave the area quickly, and it is one reason police respond quickly to reports of people fleeing in a vehicle toward the highway.
Retail theft and the community
Retail theft affects more than the stores that are targeted. Retailers and industry groups have long said that losses from shoplifting can contribute to higher prices, reduced inventory, locked display cases and added security costs. Grocery items such as meat are among the products that stores commonly report being targeted because of their cost and resale value.
Law enforcement agencies in Baldwin County and elsewhere generally encourage businesses to report suspected thefts promptly and to share as much detail as they can, including physical descriptions, the number of people involved, vehicle make, model and color, license plate numbers and the direction the vehicle traveled.
Advice for store employees and shoppers
Public safety officials commonly advise retail workers and shoppers not to physically confront or chase people suspected of shoplifting. Confrontations over merchandise can escalate quickly and put employees, customers and bystanders at risk. Instead, they recommend the following steps:
- Observe from a safe distance. Note clothing, height and any other identifying features.
- Watch where they go. If possible, note the vehicle and the direction it leaves the parking lot.
- Call police right away. The sooner officers have accurate information, the better their chances of finding the vehicle, as happened in this case.
- Preserve video. Store security footage can be important evidence when cases go to court.
- Let officers handle the stop. Pursuing a vehicle in a private car is dangerous and can lead to crashes.
Why quick reporting matters
In this case, the time between the call from the store and the traffic stop appears to have been short, and police said they found the vehicle soon after receiving the report. Officers often say that the first few minutes after a theft are the most important, because suspects who reach a major highway can be far from the scene before anyone has a chance to look for them.
The outcome also reflects the coordination between businesses and police that departments across Baldwin County try to encourage. Store employees who call quickly and provide clear details can make it possible for officers to resolve cases without dangerous pursuits or confrontations inside the store.
What comes next
The three people charged in the Daphne Walmart theft are scheduled to appear in court, where the allegations will be addressed. Police have not indicated whether any additional charges are expected. Anyone with information about retail thefts in the city is encouraged to contact the Daphne Police Department.
