Two charged with shoplifting, drug possession

Published 7:00 am Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Huber

Huber

Kirby

Kirby

Two people were arrested on shoplifting charges after loss prevention staff caught them in the act.

Officers were sent to Walmart on June 9 just after 1 p.m. in reference to two suspects taking items without paying for them, said Picayune Police Assistant Chief Jeremy Magri.

Upon arrival, they spoke with loss prevention staff, who said they saw 33-year-old James Huber of 1023 Telly Rd., take a pair of sunglasses and leave the store before sitting in a vehicle in the parking lot, Magri said. Loss prevention also told the officer that a second suspect, 30-year-old Marcia Kirby of 322 Liberty Rd., was also seen putting items in a bag she took off the shelf, but was still in the store.

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Huber was located in the parking lot and a search of his person located the stolen pair of sunglasses, leading him to be taken into custody, Magri said. A search of the vehicle located a bag containing a substance believed to be crystal methamphetamine, several oxycodone pills, a couple Xanax pills and a couple Klonopin pills along with a spoon and a syringe commonly used in the preparation of narcotics for injection, Magri said.

The officers then entered the store to locate Kirby, where she fled upon seeing the officers approach. Magri said she was apprehended after a short chase, but resisted being handcuffed. The bag, which she dropped during her attempt to escape, was recovered and contained nails, masking tape and spray paint totaling close to $100 in value, Magri said.

Both Kirby and Huber were charged with two counts of felony possession of a controlled substance, two counts of misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance, shoplifting and possession of paraphernalia, Magri said. Kirby was additionally charged with resisting arrest by fleeing and fighting, Magri said.