Richmond man facing burglary and shoplifting charges
Oct. 26—On Oct. 23 Richmond police officers were dispatched to Walmart in reference to a man who had allegedly shoplifted.
After speaking with staff at Walmart, it was determined Dakota Baldwin, Richmond, had stolen a pair of boxcutters in the amount of $12.88 after police identified him from video footage. Staff with the store said Baldwin had been trespassed in the past as recently as Oct. 3, 2021.
According to a citation, Baldwin was not located until the next day, when he was seen near Big Hill Towing breaking into cars. When officers arrived there around 10:30 p.m., they were advised by staff at the business they saw Baldwin inside one of the vehicles where he was confronted and made to stay until their arrival.
Baldwin had several outstanding warrants and was arrested on scene and searched. Police found $27 in cash in his pocket. The employee stated this amount of money was in the car before Baldwin had entered it. He also had two pairs of pliers in his left front pocket that had cutting edges on them. According to the citation, this is consistent with burglary tools commonly used to break into vehicles, buildings, and cut fences. There were also numerous used syringes in his pockets.
A search of the lot produced a black drawstring bag that was hanging on the fence. Baldwin had been observed in video footage carrying the bag and hanging it on the fence. There was a white iPhone, a scale with residue and several pounds of loose change. The bag was also located near a cut in the fence that staff stated was not cut prior to this incident.
Baldwin waived his rights and stated the money in his pocket was taken from the vehicle on the lot. He stated the bag located on the fence was also taken from the car he had broken into but the items inside, including the change, scale and cell phone were already in the car when he stole it. Baldwin said he climbed the fence of the lot, jumped onto the roof and jumped inside the lot. According to the citation, the fence is about eight-feet-high with barbed wire on the top and is clearly marked with a "no trespassing" sign.
The citation states Baldwin was unsteady on his feet, had slurred speech, and appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance. He was arrested and taken to the Madison County Detention Center and charged with second-degree criminal trespassing, theft of contents form a vehicle, possession of burglary tools, buy or possessing drug paraphernalia, public intoxication of a controlled substance, and third-degree criminal mischief.
Other arrests include:
—Nathaniel Christopher, Berea, one headlight, license to be in possession, possession of an alcoholic beverage in a vehicle, first offense operating a vehicle under the influence, and no operators moped license.
—Jamison Woods, Richmond, fourth-degree assault (minor injury).
—Brandon Coon, Richmond, failure to wear seatbelts, license to be in possession, and receiving stolen property under $10,000.
The Register collects and publishes police reports as a public service to its readers. The reports often contain allegations against individuals and do not mean the individuals committed a crime. All people named in connection with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
