Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Police Nab Suspect

What began as a shoplifting turned into a robbery, landing a Gurdon man in jail.

According to Gurdon City Marshal David Childres, around 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, the suspect entered the Piggly Wiggly store. He was recognized by employees as a person who had shoplifted items there before.

With the employees watching him, the suspect, Henry Williams, 35, went to the meat market, where he was observed stuffing six T-bone steaks down his pants. In addition to the steaks, the suspect reportedly took some cheese.

As he tried to leave, Childres said, two employees confronted him, with Williams allegedly shoving one. In his attempt to run from the store, he reportedly knocked a clerk over at the counter.

Two other clerks gave chase, but lost the suspect when he ran behind the store.

Williams was picked from a photo lineup. Being known to the Gurdon Police Department, officers knew where to look for him and picked him up.

Childres said he admitted to the theft, and had sold the steaks for $10. He told officers who he had sold them to as well.

When officers went to the location Williams gave, they were able to recover four steaks, but saw one was being prepared for cooking.

According to Childres, until Williams shoved he clerk, the charges pending against him were for shoplifting, a misdemeanor crime. However, with the contact with the clerk, the charge became robbery, a class B felony.