Local News
Robbery suspect caught at Walmart
MOULTRIE — A Berlin man allegedly robbed a woman at gunpoint Tuesday night but was later apprehended after he allegedly tried to shoplift several items early Wednesday morning.
Walter Johnathan Barden Jr., 20, of 315 Peachtree Road in Berlin, was charged with armed robbery and theft by shoplifting.
A Moultrie police officer was called to Murphy’s Express on South Veterans Parkway at 11:27 p.m. about an armed robbery. The officer met with Meagan Griffin, who stated she was outside the convenience store smoking with some friends when a white male, later identified as Barden, came up to them and asked for a cigarette.
Another person in the group gave Barden a cigarette, and everyone was there smoking together, she said. A short time later, Barden allegedly pulled out a pistol and put it to Griffin’s head and calmly told her to give him everything she had.
Griffin told the officer she thought Barden was joking around, but he allegedly grabbed her wallet, with $85 cash inside, from her pocket. She stated he walked around the building and disappeared from her sight. Witnesses stated they saw a blue Jeep go by Barden telling him to get in, but it left the scene before the alleged robbery.
A second officer was called to Wal-Mart on South Veterans Parkway at 12:42 a.m. Wednesday about a shoplifter in custody. The officer spoke with a store employee, who stated Barden allegedly tried to steal clothing, a package of socks, a pair of shoes, a pack of gum and a wallet. The value of the items was about $69, and Barden was placed under arrest.
When the second officer radioed a description of Barden, the first officer found he matched the description of the alleged armed robber. He was taken to the Moultrie Police Department and interviewed by an investigator then was taken to Colquitt County Jail.
