A local man has been charged with theft following an investigation into a reported shoplifting incident at a retail business in Ottumwa.
On June 4 at approximately 8:24 a.m., the Ottumwa Police Department was dispatched to Menards, located in the 1000 block of Venture Drive, to investigate a reported theft.
According to a criminal complaint, Carl Thrasher, 54, of Ottumwa, allegedly opened packages inside the store and concealed merchandise on his person.
Court documents state that Thrasher passed the final point of sale without paying for the concealed items. Authorities allege he was in possession of property belonging to another with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of it. The value of the merchandise was reported to be less than $300.
An arrest warrant was served on Thrasher on June 11.
As of this report, no preliminary hearing has been scheduled.
Thrasher is currently being held in the Wapello County Jail on a $300 cash or surety bond.
He has been charged with Fifth-Degree Theft, a simple misdemeanor.
Editors Note: All information was obtained from court documents related to the ongoing investigation.
