Shoplifting Suspect Wheels Out Cart Full of $500 Worth of Merchandise

An Athens man was charged with felony theft by shoplifting after reportedly taking over $500 worth of merchandise from on Dec. 24.

Loss prevention officers working at the store told Oconee County deputies they witnessed the man leave the store through the Garden Center around 10:30 a.m. with a cart full of items and load them into a Kia Optima, according to an incident report.

Deputies stopped the vehicle as it was leaving the parking lot and questioned the driver.  The man allegedly showed deputies two receipts, neither of which listed items reportedly taken.  He then admitted to having found one of the receipts on the ground. Loss prevention officers identified the man as the suspect and he was arrested.

Ronnie Gene Scogin, 42, of Oak Hill Drive in Athens, was charged with felony theft by shoplifting and issued a notification of prohibited entry at any Walmart. He was later released from the on a $7,500 bond. An arrest does not mean a conviction.

Among items found in the car were four cases of beer, two Sony Blu-Ray players, two MP3 players, men's socks and three pairs of headphones, collectively valued at $502. 36.