Staff Reports

A 41-year-old woman wanted on a Jackson County warrant by police investigating a report of shoplifting was arrested Thursday morning in North Vernon.

The incident that led to the arrest of Rebecca Bowling of North Vernon started when officers responded to a report of a shoplifter at Walmart Supercenter, 2410 N. State Road 3, according to a news release from Sgt. Andrew Richmond.

Richmond, who investigated the incident, said employees at the store had tried to detain a person after noticing suspicious activity at the self-checkout area. Employees reported the person, later identified as Bowling, had selected $210 worth of merchandise but had scanned and paid for $78.

Bowling fled the store before officers arrived but was found in a vehicle a short distance away. Bowling was detained and gave a false name and birth date to investigating officers, Richmond said.

When police discovered Bowling’s identity, they found she had an active warrant issued from Jackson County for a probation revocation. She also was arrested on a preliminary Level 6 felony charge of possession of methamphetamine when a small amount of meth was found during her arrest and search. She also faces a Class A misdemeanor charge of theft.

Bradley J. Oldham, 45, of North Vernon, who was driving the vehicle when Bowling left the store, also was arrested for driving while suspended with a prior suspension within 10 years.