Pair Of Shoplifters Arrested

Earlier this week, two Newport businesses were visited by the kind of shoppers you do not want in your store…shoplifters. This happened Tuesday starting at Wal-Mart when two individuals entered the store. One of them was recognized as 43 year old Joshua Slade, who had been trespassed from Wal-Mart in December of 2024. According to police, Slade along with 40 year old Stacey Barnett attempted to steal nearly $400 worth of merchandise, including shoes and meat. As they tried to leave the store without paying, a manager attempted to stop the pair and they fled without the merchandise.

However, Slade and Barnett didn’t go far. They headed to Lowe’s. The two grabbed Christmas decorations at Lowe’s including a Christmas House Elf animated character worth almost $400. In total, Slade and Barnett left the store with over $1,000 of Christmas related merchandise. The two fled in a gray Jeep Cherokee with Ohio plates. That vehicle was spotted Tuesday evening and both Slade and Barnett were taken into custody. Barnett was found with illegal narcotics and was charged with possession of schedule I. Both Slade and Barnett have been charged with Theft under $1,000; Theft Over $1,000 (a felony); and Burglary.