Police Apprehend Alleged Gender Confused Shoplifter

LIBERTY, October 29, 2009 - Shortly before noon on Thursday loss prevention employees at the Liberty Wal-Mart notified police that a woman had been observed placing items in her purse and when confronted at the door, shoved the loss prevention officer and fled on foot.

According to Officer Hugh Bishop, responding Officer Josh Cummins spotted the woman near the Express Lube and the woman spotted him and fled. Other officers joined the pursuit on foot and followed the suspect across North Main Street onto Shady Lane where the suspect jumped some fences and was ultimately apprehended by Police Chief Billy Tidwell behind the old Wal-Mart building.

Once in custody it was learned that the woman had an accomplice in the store.

Upon arrival at Wal-Mart i-dineout.com asked Officer Josh Cummins if the person he had in custody in his patrol car was a man or a woman. Officer Cummins said, “He is both.”

According to Officer Hugh Bishop the, woman or man, was seen by loss prevention personnel putting DVD’s in his purse while being shielded by his accomplice.

Officer Hugh Bishop identified the, man or woman, with the purse as Patrick Bueno age 19 of Liberty and his accomplice as Dexter L. Smith age 18 of Baytown.

The value of the merchandise allegedly taken from Wal-Mart was less than $50.00.

Dexter L. Smith and Patrick Bueno were both issued citations for theft.

Smith was released and Bueno was transported to the Liberty County Jail on charges of Evading Arrest a Class B Misdemeanor.