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BOND SET FOR SHOPLIFTING SUSPECT

By Ray King/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Wednesday, June 24, 2009 9:30 AM CDT

A $10,000 bond was set Monday for a Pine Bluff man who allegedly stole nine pairs of jeans from a store at The Pines mall.

Circuit Judge Jodi Dennis set the bond after ruling prosecutors had probable cause to charge James White, 35, with felony theft of property.

Deputy Prosecutor Nicole Pugh said a loss prevention officer at Dillard’s saw White remove the jeans, valued at $68 each, from a rack at the store then leave through a side door.

Chase

She said police chased White to the parking lot where he was arrested.

The judge appointed the public defender’s office to represent White, who Pugh said is currently on probation, and a petition has been filed to revoke that probation.

Also Monday, a $10,000 bond was set for Fore Norman III, 40, after Judge Dennis ruled prosecutors had probable cause to charge Norman with commercial burglary.

Confession

Police Sgt. Carnell Williams reported that Norman contacted the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department Saturday, saying that he had been involved in the burglary of the Family Dollar Store at 417 N. University Drive on June 17.

Pugh said store surveillance video had been shown on television and Norman told officers he “was the one in the pinstripe shirt.”

Police reported that four men broke into the store by driving a stolen truck through the door and wall, then stealing a safe, but Pugh said Norman reported that there were actually six individuals involved, with one of them driving a mini-van and acting as a lookout while the others broke into the business.

Pugh said Norman also told police he had “been paid $100” for taking part in the burglary.

An investigation into the incident and an attempt to locate the other suspects is continuing, and police said a reward may be available for information leading to their identification and arrest.

Anyone with information should contact the Detective Division at 543-5111 or the Crime Hotline at 543-5110, and all calls will be kept confidential.

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