Man arrested for making threats while stealing salt, saw blades from Walmart
A Chattanooga, Tenn., man was arrested in Fort Oglethorpe over the weekend after he allegedly threatened several employees while in possession of a knife at the Walmart on Battlefield Parkway.
According to the Fort Oglethorpe Police Department:
John Jowane Stephens, 33, of St. Elmo Street in Chattanooga was arrested Friday, April 17, on charges of terroristic threats and acts, shoplifting, criminal trespassing, possession of a knife during the commission of a crime, and probation violation.
Stephens remained in jail Monday morning, April 20, with bond set at $14,000.
Police were dispatched to the Walmart at 3040 Ga. 2 (Battlefield Parkway) at approximately 7:30 a.m. regarding a male suspect possibly entering vehicles in the store’s parking lot, report show.
Several store employees pointed out the suspect, who turned out to be Stephens.
Officers detained Stephens and a large knife was found concealed in his right front pocket.
Officer Mitchell Moore interviewed store employees and learned that Stephens had allegedly been “lingering” around the store for nearly 4½ hours.
“Mr. Stephens had refused to leave when asked to do so repeatedly by management,” Moore said. “While he was being asked to leave, he became abusive, belligerent, and threatening.”
Stephens even allegedly made threats to employees individually, reports show. Officers quickly learned that Stephens had an active warrant for probation violation.
After his arrest, Stephens was searched again before being placed in the patrol car, at which time it was discovered that he’d shoplifted items from within the store and was attempting to smuggle them out in his pants.
“During the search, a vial containing table salt was found hidden in the crotch of his pants,” Moore said. “He then fished out a pack of jigsaw blades hidden at the back of his pants. Mr. Stephens listed his bad teeth as the reason he had table salt in his pants.”
Stephens allegedly continued to make threats while in custody of officers and while he was being processed into jail, reports show.