Larry Jonie Adams (Courtesy Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail.)
A Virginia Beach man accused of stealing $280 of clothing from a Williamsburg Premium Outlets store pleaded guilty Monday.
Larry Jodie Adams, 47, was arrested Aug. 30 after a True Religion employee reported a shoplifting around 3:15 p.m. that day, according to a police report.
A Williamsburg-James City County Sheriff’s Office deputy working an extra shift at the outlets responded to the call and identified Adams based on the employee’s description of him, said Stephanie Williams, a spokesperson for the James City County Police Department.
When the deputy began approaching him, Adams became belligerent and ran away from the deputy, according to a police report.
Williamsburg-James City County Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael Gaten said after the deputy caught up to Adams, he began “pushing and shoving her” and was able to flee again.
While fleeing, Adams threw a tan shopping bag aside, Gaten said. Other officers joined the pursuit and aided the deputy in arresting Adams.
Officers found Adams was in possession of wire cutters, a burglary tool used to cut sensors off clothing, Williams said.
The bag he threw aside contained two pairs of True Religion jeans valued at $280 total, one pair of American Eagle jeans valued at $50 and an American Eagle hat valued at $15.
Adams was originally charged with one count each of possession of burglary tools, concealing merchandise, larceny, grand larceny, assault on law enforcement and resisting arrest.
The charges of possession of burglary tools, larceny, grand larceny and assault on law enforcement were dropped at a Sept. 26 hearing.
Adams originally pleaded guilty to resisting arrest and received a sentence of one year in prison with eight months suspended, but Adams’ attorney Leigh Major appealed the sentence Oct. 2.
The charge was brought to Williamsburg-James City County Circuit Court along with the felony concealing merchandise charge. A judge will determine a sentence for both charges at 10 a.m. Jan. 28.
Related Coverage: