Shoplifting Suspect Found Lying in Woods Next to Fence

A shoplifting suspect who authorities say fled on foot from Walmart on Epps Bridge Parkway Tuesday was later found hiding in some nearby woods.

Oconee County Sheriff's deputies were called to the store at 10:42 p.m. As they arrived, they say they saw a man run from the loss prevention officer through the parking lot headed toward Kohls.

A perimeter was set up and backup was called as deputies began to look for the suspect.  The Sheriff's Office  sent a Nixle alert about the search at 11:21 p.m.

"After some time of searching for the suspect we located him lying in the woods next to a fence," a deputy wrote in the incident report.

A second Nixle alert went out at 11:59 p.m. notifying the public that the suspect was in custody.

Matravis L. Watkins, 27 of Epps Bridge Parkway was charged with felony theft by shoplifting.

A second suspect still inside the store, Deborah M. Sewell, 50, of Hank Aaron Drive in Atlanta, was also arrested on the same charge.

The pair is accused of trying to steal an Acer laptop worth about $650.  An arrest isn't a conviction.