MISHAWAKA — A Wheatfield, Ind., man was arrested late last week after allegedly pulling a knife and threatening to stab a Walmart employee who was trying to stop him from shoplifting.
Dewayne Hutton, 20, and another man reportedly stuffed a backpack with several items in a bathroom at the store in the 300 block of Indian Ridge Boulevard about 10:45 p.m. Friday. A maintenance employee reported seeing the incident. They then the suspects headed toward a west exit door, according to police.
Once notified, a shift manager told police he began following the suspects, who triggered an alarm because of the stolen items at the west exit door but could not leave because the doors were locked.
Hutton originally complied once confronted by the shift manager and began following him to a security office on the east side of the building, according to a police report.
Near the east exit door, Hutton attempted to run again, but the shift manager was able to stop him by grabbing his arm, police said. A struggle ensued, and Hutton allegedly pulled out a black-handled pocket knife, pointed it towards the employee and said: “I’ll stab you man.”
The victim reportedly backed away, fearing he would be stabbed, and Hutton ran out the door heading south, leaving the backpack behind.
Hutton was detained a short time later on North Main Street, a couple blocks southeast of Walmart. Police said they found a black pocket knife on Hutton, who was taken to the St. Joseph County Jail and given a $30,000 bond.
Hutton has been charged by the St. Joseph County prosecutor’s office with theft, a class D felony, intimidation, a class C felony, and false informing, a class B misdemeanor. He was scheduled to appear in court Monday.
Hutton allegedly attempted to steal sound equipment, including an iPod nano 6G wristwatch and an iPod touch, and Armor Tac football gloves, among other items.
Police said the suspect later told them he stole the items to sell for food and that he pulled his knife in self defense.
No more information was available about the other suspect.
Staff writer Tom Moor:
tmoor@sbtinfo.com
574-235-6234
Dewayne Hutton, 20, and another man reportedly stuffed a backpack with several items in a bathroom at the store in the 300 block of Indian Ridge Boulevard about 10:45 p.m. Friday. A maintenance employee reported seeing the incident. They then the suspects headed toward a west exit door, according to police.
Once notified, a shift manager told police he began following the suspects, who triggered an alarm because of the stolen items at the west exit door but could not leave because the doors were locked.
Hutton originally complied once confronted by the shift manager and began following him to a security office on the east side of the building, according to a police report.
Near the east exit door, Hutton attempted to run again, but the shift manager was able to stop him by grabbing his arm, police said. A struggle ensued, and Hutton allegedly pulled out a black-handled pocket knife, pointed it towards the employee and said: “I’ll stab you man.”
The victim reportedly backed away, fearing he would be stabbed, and Hutton ran out the door heading south, leaving the backpack behind.
Hutton was detained a short time later on North Main Street, a couple blocks southeast of Walmart. Police said they found a black pocket knife on Hutton, who was taken to the St. Joseph County Jail and given a $30,000 bond.
Hutton has been charged by the St. Joseph County prosecutor’s office with theft, a class D felony, intimidation, a class C felony, and false informing, a class B misdemeanor. He was scheduled to appear in court Monday.
Hutton allegedly attempted to steal sound equipment, including an iPod nano 6G wristwatch and an iPod touch, and Armor Tac football gloves, among other items.
Police said the suspect later told them he stole the items to sell for food and that he pulled his knife in self defense.
No more information was available about the other suspect.
Staff writer Tom Moor:
tmoor@sbtinfo.com
574-235-6234
