Sheriff: ‘This time, you picked the wrong town’
Four Macon people are being held without bond in jail at the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office because they “picked the wrong town.”
The four are accused of stealing thousands of dollars’ worth of items from the Eatonton Walmart using some creative means, according to authorities.
Eatonton Police Chief Howell Cardwell said the four individuals – a father, son and their girlfriends, had used different methods to steal from the local Walmart at least five or six times the past few months.
“I want to thank Sgt. (Harold “Buddy”) Bowman for doing such a fine job on the investigation,” Cardwell said, adding that he also appreciated officers Christian Waldrop and Dillon Waldrop on the night shift for making the arrests and bringing the four subjects in.
The four people had printed bar codes, which Sgt. Bowman referred to as “Koolaid barcodes.” They stuck the barcodes to various items and scanned the items at the self-checkout, purchased them, and walked out the door.
“So, they were paying less than $5 for items worth hundreds of dollars each, some even over $1,000,” Cardwell said.
The accused individuals also had reportedly purchased large items, mechanical or electronic devices, power tools, etc., and then walked out to the parking lot and handed the receipt to another person, who went in and picked up the same item and walked out the door with said item like they’d just purchased it.
After investigation of the purchases and thefts revealed the identity of the culprits, a search warrant was obtained. A search of the individual’s vehicle revealed a firearm and assorted illegal drugs, Cardwell said.
Arrested on May 27 were:
Christopher Lee Orstad, 53, of Cypress Drive, Macon, who was charged with probation violation (possession of methamphetamine – Ware County warrant), two counts felony theft by shoplifting, one count misdemeanor theft by shoplifting, and violation of the Georgia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.
Nicholas Lee Orstad, 33, of Cypress Drive, Macon, on charges of giving false name, two counts felony theft by shoplifting, Violation of the Georgia RICO Act, crossing guard line with drugs, gun or dangerous weapon, and crossing guard line with tobacco.
Deanna Lynn Sugden, 43, of Cypress Drive, Macon, charged with one count possession of methamphetamine, two counts theft by shoplifting first degree, and Violation of the Georgia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt organizations Act.
Jessica Denise Lane, 33, of Jeffersonville Road, Macon, theft by shoplifting first degree.
The investigation is ongoing, and Cardwell said more charges are pending. He also noted that the arrestees have outstanding warrants in other nearby counties and states.
At their bond hearing, all four were denied bond by Magistrate Dorothy Adams, at which time Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills told them, “This time, you picked the wrong town to come do this.”