Thursday, January 8, 2009

Florence Man Arrested For Carrying Weapon In Parking Lot

   A Florence man was arrested Tuesday afternoon for illegally carrying a handgun while on property belonging to the local Walmart store.

   Members of Walmart’s Loss Prevention Team made the discovery while investigating a shoplifting incident shortly after 1:00 p.m. One of the members told Lawrenceburg Police Officers that he had watched as an Iron City resident tried on a pair of shoes, carried around the shoe box, then placed it back on the shelf with his old shoes inside. He indicated that he followed the man, confronting him after he passed the checkouts in an attempt to leave the premises.

   After taking information for a report, the employee reports that he escorted the suspect from the store and to his truck in the parking lot. He indicated that the suspect was acting very nervous.

   When they reached the truck the employee noticed several new items lying on the truck seat, beside a passenger. When he had the passenger step out of the vehicle, the employee reports he saw a shiny item lying beneath the armrest “that appeared to be a handgun.”

   The employee removed, unloaded, and secured the weapon, detaining both subjects for police officers. He reports that the first man claimed he had stolen the items from Walmart earlier that same day.

   During a search of the passenger, Leon Hugh Moomaw, 46, of County Road A, Florence, Alabama, the employee reports finding a pipe in his right pants pocket which Moomaw allegedly stated he “used to smoke ice.”

   As a result of the incident Moomaw was placed under arrest on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and illegal possession/carrying of a firearm. He is slated to answer the charges through Lawrence County General Sessions Court on February 5, 2009.

   Merchandise allegedly stolen from the store, including shoes, tools, work gloves, electric tape, chrome polish, compact discs and a flashlight, were recovered and returned to the business.

   Shoplifting and theft charges are expected to be filed against the second suspect in coming days.

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