MERCER COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) — Authorities apprehended two individuals following a shoplifting incident at the Walmart located at 201 Greasy Ridge Road. The suspects attempted to flee with a stolen flat-screen television and were arrested after a brief pursuit, according to the West Virginia State Police.
The Incident
At approximately 6:14 p.m. on Sunday, January 19, Troopers were dispatched to a report of a shoplifting incident. Witnesses described the suspect as a white female wearing a pink sweatshirt, who exited the store with a Vizio 40-inch flat-screen TV valued at $148 without paying. She reportedly entered a gray sedan bearing West Virginia registration 85T982, which was seen leaving the parking lot and heading down Greasy Ridge Road.
Troopers located the vehicle near Wildlife Lane and observed a large green TV box in the back seat. When officers initiated a traffic stop, the car pulled to the shoulder, and the female suspect fled on foot. After a brief chase and verbal commands, she was apprehended and identified as Cristen Meador.
The vehicle, which began moving toward the officer after Meador fled, was stopped, and the driver, identified as Paul Hoston, was removed and placed under arrest.
Search and Additional Charges
A search of the vehicle revealed the stolen TV, as well as a different license plate, West Virginia registration 694567, in the back seat. Investigators determined that the registration plate displayed on the car (85T982) did not belong to the vehicle, while the plate found inside the car was properly registered to it.
Further investigation revealed that Hoston’s driver’s license had been suspended, with six prior convictions for driving while suspended dating back to 2011.
Walmart Loss Prevention personnel also reported that Meador had damaged the store’s front door by running into it, rendering it inoperable.
Outstanding Warrants
Authorities discovered that Meador had multiple outstanding warrants, including:
- One active capias for failing to appear on a second-offense shoplifting charge.
- Three third-offense shoplifting warrants issued by Mercer County Magistrate Court.
Next Steps
Both suspects were taken into custody. Charges include shoplifting, property damage, and additional offenses related to fraudulent vehicle registration and driving with a suspended license.
The arrests took place in Mercer County, West Virginia, and the investigation remains ongoing.
