JONESBORO, Ark. — A man accused of stealing $2,081 worth of merchandise from a store on South Caraway Road has been arrested after returning to the business six days later, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Malcolm Jamal Meadows is charged with shoplifting involving more than $1,000 but no more than $5,000, a Class D felony, and unlawful removal of a theft detection device, first offense, court records show.
The initial incident occurred on Oct. 6, when a store supervisor reported to police that a man stole several items of merchandise earlier that day, the affidavit states. The suspect, described as wearing a white shirt and carrying a Champion backpack, allegedly removed security devices called "spider wraps" from the items and left the devices on a shelf before leaving the store with the merchandise. Surveillance footage of the incident was reviewed by officers, and a copy was requested.
Authorities say Meadows returned to the store on Oct. 12, prompting another police response. Officers identified Meadows as the suspect in the Oct. 6 theft and discovered that he had active warrants out of Mississippi County. The affidavit does not specify the allegations tied to those warrants.
Meadows was positively identified as the individual who took the merchandise, police said. In an Oct. 14 court order, Judge David Boling found probable cause for Meadows’ detention on the charges and set bond at $100,000 cash or surety with a requirement for GPS monitoring.
The court noted that Meadows is considered a habitual offender with a record of prior theft charges, as well as charges for commercial and residential burglary and robbery. The judge also observed that Meadows has no ties to Craighead County. The provided records did not indicate the outcomes of those previous charges.
Meadows’ next court appearance is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Nov. 23 at the Craighead County Courthouse in Jonesboro.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.