Police: Minden man arrested for stealing soda, shirt

A Minden man found himself in handcuffs after police say he admitted to stealing a Coke and a t-shirt.

Daniel C. Wells, 29, of the 100 block of Katie Lane, was charged with theft of goods, possession of marijuana and on a warrant as a fugitive from the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Minden police chief Steve Cropper says Officer First Class Kenneth James was dispatched to Walmart in reference to two shoplifters.

“They were informed that loss prevention had one suspect in custody and the second had left in a blue Yukon,” he said. “While enroute to Walmart, he was advised the Yukon turned onto Chrislo Drive. He drove to Chrislo, and while he was on Chrislo, a blue Yukon passed him headed in the opposite direction.”

James turned around and initiated a traffic stop at East Todd and Chrislo Drive. He approached the driver and asked for proper paperwork.

“The driver indicated that he was stupid and that the officer got him,” Cropper said. “He then told him that he’d stolen a drink from Walmart.”

Officer First Class Shawn Jenkins arrived on scene to assist, and he asked the driver, identified as Wells, to step out of the vehicle. Wells was advised of his rights, and when asked if anything else illegal was inside the vehicle, Wells reportedly told officers that he’d stolen the drink and a t-shirt.

“Mr. Wells gave verbal consent to search the vehicle and officers located a small, clear plastic bag of suspected marijuana,” Cropper said. “The suspected marijuana was collected as evidence. At that point, they were contacted by Capt. Dan Weaver, who advised that Mr. Wells had an outstanding parole warrant.”

Wells was then transported to the Minden Police Department, and the alleged marijuana collected was weighed in at three grams with a street value of about $10.
Cropper says the charges against him are misdemeanors, but because there was a warrant, he was taken to jail.

He was transported to Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center.