Security footage shows man taking items to car, walking back in to steal more
A man who allegedly shoplifted from an area store and then returned to commit the same crime several times was jailed earlier this week by Columbia police.
Capt. Rita Pickering, a detective with the Columbia Police Department, said Lawrence Miekell Lambert, 25, was arrested Tuesday. Pickering said the arrest stemmed from recent incidents in Walmart and that the CPD picked Lambert up on Tuesday.
“He stole some merchandise and he kept coming back,” she said. “He was on camera each time. He stole several hoverboards that were like $300 each, a drone and Hatchimals. He would walk out, put this stuff in is vehicle and come right back in.” Lambert remained in the Marion County Jail as of Thursday on charges of felony shoplifting, third offense; grand larceny of more than $1,000, possession of a controlled substance, disturbing the peace and introduction of contraband into a correctional facility. Bond on three of the charges was set at $3,000, however, no bond was allowed on the grand larceny charge.
The arrests came after multiple incidents on Nov. 8.
“He took $1,091.76 worth of merchandise from the store and took it out to his silver Impala; it was all on camera,” Pickering said. “He had stolen from Walmart before and had been banned from the store.”
Pickering said Lambert also has several warrants through the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation is ongoing.
