Buckhannon man arrested for felony shoplifting on Fourth of July

BUCKHANNON – A Buckhannon man was arrested at Walmart for felony shoplifting after he was allegedly caught taking about $16 worth of items.

Rodney Lantz, 58, of Buckhannon, was arrested for shoplifting third offense, which is a felony.

According to the criminal complaint in the Upshur County Magistrate Clerk’s Office filed by investigating officer Patrolman Angel McCauley with the Buckhannon Police Department, Lantz was arrested Thursday, July 4.

McCauley responded to Walmart in reference to a call about an alleged shoplifting. Upon arrival, Lantz was in the office. He was witnessed allegedly attempting to take a pair of headphones and a pair of boot strings, the complaint states. The total value of both items came to $16.88.

Lantz has two prior shoplifting convictions in Upshur County. The first guilty conviction was on Dec. 8, 2015 and the second guilty plea was Nov. 27, 2018, the report states.

Bail has been set at $5,000 cash or surety by Magistrate Clerk Kay Hurst.

If convicted, Lantz faces a penalty of a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $5,000 and confinement in the penitentiary for not less than one nor more than 10 years. At least one year shall actually be spent in confinement and subject to probation, according to West Virginia state code.