ELKINS, WV (LOOTPRESS) – One man has been arrested after he was caught stealing from Wal-Mart.
According to the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, on December 23, 2023, Deputies received a call from Randolph E-911 in reference to an active shoplifting incident taking place at Walmart in Elkins.
The West Virginia State Police (WVSP) also responded to assist.
Upon arrival, dispatchers advised Officers that Asset Protection was actively watching a male individual cut open merchandise from its original packaging and conceal the items.
Officers then made contact with the Wal-Mart employees who pointed out the suspect in the electronics section. Officers then subsequently confronted the male individual and advised him of the reason for the police presence.
Police then asked the male if he had an I.D. to which he responded “no” and identified himself as “D.J. Brookins”.
While advising police of his name, he was hesitant and paused to think of what his name was. Randolph E-911 was then unable to locate a valid I.D. with the DOB and name he provided.
Police then detained the male until he could be positively identified. The male then advised police that his name was “Dustin Goodwin” with a DOB of 04/19/95.
Randolph E-911 then sent police the criminal history and I.D. for Dustin Goodwin, an officer immediately recognized the individual on the criminal history sent by E-911 and verified that the male was lying about his identification for a second time.
After being confronted about his continuous lies regarding what his actual name was, he identified himself as Caleb Goodwin (hereinafter referred to as the defendant).
It was later determined that the defendant lied about his name twice because he had an active felony capias through Randolph County Circuit Court.
Wal-Mart employees then totaled the merchandise that the defendant was concealing which had a subtotal of $557.90 in U.S. Currency.
The male was then taken into custody and transported to Tygart Valley Regional Jail (TVRJ) to await arraignment by a Magistrate.