IRVING, Texas — An Irving man with prior theft convictions and multiple outstanding warrants was arrested after allegedly shoplifting merchandise from a Walmart store, according to the Irving Police Department.
The incident occurred on June 18 at approximately 1:35 p.m. when an Irving police officer was dispatched to a reported shoplifting at the Walmart located in the 1600 block of Market Place Boulevard.
While responding, the officer was advised that the suspect had fled the store and was walking along the north service road of State Highway 635.
The officer located a man matching the suspect's description and made contact with him. The individual was identified as 35-year-old Marcello Ladale Garner.
Police transported Garner back to the Walmart, where loss prevention employees identified him as the person seen leaving the store without paying for merchandise. Investigators reviewed surveillance footage that showed Garner pushing a shopping cart containing unpaid items past the final point of sale.
A records check revealed Garner had two prior theft convictions in Tarrant County, which elevated the new theft charge. Officers also discovered three active warrants from other agencies.
Garner was arrested and charged with Theft of Property Under $2,500 with two previous theft convictions. He was transported to the Irving Jail without incident.
According to police, the outstanding warrants included a theft warrant from the Dallas County Sheriff's Office, traffic-related warrants from the Grand Prairie Police Department, and a warrant from the Fort Worth Police Department for Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration Requirements.
Online records show that Garner has been listed on the Texas Sex Offender Registry since May 2017 following his release from prison for a Sexual Assault of a Child conviction involving a 14-year-old girl. He is required to provide updates on his residence every 30 days.
Under Texas law, a conviction for Sexual Assault of a Child requires lifetime registration as a sex offender. As of June 24th, he is still being held at the Dallas County Jail pending a court hearing.
