Man Charged with Taking Cell Phones at Wal-Mart

A man was arrested and charged with stealing two cell phones from the Walmart at 6225 State Road 64 East, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

Saturday afternoon the Wal-Mart loss prevention staff observed Carl Jackson select a pair of cell phones while shopping with a child. Then Jackson headed with the child, an adult female and a second juvenile to the sporting goods section of the store, according to the news release.

The store's loss prevention staff reportedly saw the woman hide the cell phones in her purse with the children present. The adults split up and Jackson reportedly took the woman's purse and headed to the parking lot where he allegedly put the phones in a beige Suzuki SUV, official report.

Jackson went back inside the store with the woman's purse minus the cell phones, according to the news release.

The sheriff's office took Jackson into custody at the Wal-Mart. He was arrested and charged with retail theft and two counts of delinquency of a minor, officials report.

The juvenile who was with Jackson was released to the child's biological father. The vehicle was secured and impounded by the sheriff's office, according to the news release.

The sheriff's office has not yet found the woman who left the scene with the second child, officials said.