BUCKHANNON – A woman was arrested at the Buckhannon Walmart Thursday after allegedly attempting to take about $60 worth of merchandise.
Jodie Sprouse, 49, of Buckhannon, was arrested for shoplifting, third offense, a felony, following an incident that allegedly occurred Thursday, March 5.
According to the criminal complaint in the Upshur County Magistrate Clerk’s Office filed by investigating officer patrolman Angel McCauley on March 5, McCauley was dispatched to Walmart in Buckhannon in reference to a shoplifter in custody. The Upshur County E911 Communication Center informed McCauley the person in custody, Sprouse, had several prior shoplifting convictions.
The file says that upon McCauley’s arrival she asked Sprouse if she had any shoplifting charges, and Sprouse answered, “yes, about four.” After checking the magistrate portal, McCauley confirmed Sprouse had two guilty pleas to first-offense shoplifting charges dated Jan. 20, 2008 and Oct. 7, 2010. According to the report, she had a no contest plea to a first-offense shoplifting charged dated July 19, 2012.
McCauley also noted records showed Sprouse had a guilty plea to a second-offense shoplifting dated Nov. 12, 2014. All prior convictions were in Upshur County West Virginia. The total amount taken March 5 was $60.20, according to the file.
Magistrate Kay Hurst set bail at $5,000 cash or surety.
The penalty for a conviction of shoplifting, third or subsequent offense, is a fine not less than $500 but not more than $5,000 and confinement in the state penitentiary not less than one nor more than 10 years. State code says at least one year shall actually be spent in confinement.
