Would-be TV shoplifter arrested after accepting ride from off-duty cop
WAREHAM MA May 14 2018  – A would-be shoplifter trying to make off with a stolen Walmart TV proved a little too desperate for a ride when he agreed to the offer of a lift from an off-duty police officer, leading to his arrest, police said.
Police were called to Walmart, 15 Tobey Road, Friday at around 10 a.m. for a shoplifting in progress, with the caller reporting that a man was pushing a cart out of the store with a stolen television, police said.
Officers Zina Kelsch and Jon Verhaegen determined that the male suspect had left the Walmart parking lot and was at Wareham Crossing, near Lowe’s. They also received information that off-duty Wareham Police Officer Aaron Pacheco was with the suspect.
Officer Pacheco was in plainclothes shopping at Lowe’s when he observed a man nervously asking customers for a ride, police said.
Officer Pacheco immediately sensed something suspicious as he saw the television in the carriage with a Walmart clearance tag on it, police said. In an effort to confirm the TV was stolen, Officer Pacheco told the suspect he would give him a ride, as soon as he purchased an item inside Lowe’s. Continuing to covertly monitor him, he contacted Walmart and confirmed the description of the suspect and TV. As he left the store the suspect became agitated and said they had to leave right away. At that point, the other officers arrived and the suspect was placed into custody. He was identified as Scott A. Mixon, 37, of 65 Reynolds St., #3, New Bedford.
Mixon was brought to police headquarters for processing and later transported to Wareham District Court for arraignment on the charge of shoplifting-third offense.
