Delaware State Police
News Release

Date and Time: Friday January 2, 2009, 9:40 pm

Location: Wal-Mart 18922 Rehoboth Mall Blvd Rehoboth, Delaware

Defendant: Melanie W. Payton-19 17000 block Callaway Drive Lewes, Delaware

Charges: Shoplifting and Breach of Release

Resume: Delaware State Police responded to the Wal-Mart located on Rehoboth Mall Blvd Rehoboth, Delaware for a shoplifting complaint. Troopers were advised store security had Melanie W. Payton in custody. Troopers were advised Melanie W. Payton entered the store at which time she was recognized by store security as a prior offender. Melanie Payton obtained a DVD and placed it into a diaper bag and entered a restroom. Melanie Payton exited the restroom and one security officer went inside the restroom and located an empty DVD case. Another lost prevention specialist continued to follow Payton and eventually detained her. Payton was in possession of a DVD.

State Police arrested Payton for shoplifting the DVD and also for Breach of Release. Payton having been arrested at the same Wal-Mart on a previous occasion was prohibited from returning to the store.