Sulphur Springs Police Department (SSPD) responded to a reported theft at Walmart after Asset Protection detained two individuals for alleged theft. Upon arrival, officers found a male and a female subject in the Asset Protection office. Surveillance footage revealed the two subjects were observed skipping items and placing them in a plastic bag and shopping cart before leaving the last point of sale without paying.
Asset Protection confirmed the presence of multiple unpaid items in their cart, totaling approximately $54. The suspects were read their Miranda Rights, and 42-year-old Nikolaus Kayne Ward of Campbell admitted sole responsibility for the incident. Dispatch later informed officers of Ward's previous convictions for theft. Records indicate Ward has previous theft arrests in Rockwall, Hopkins, and Hunt Counties.
Ward was subsequently placed under arrest, secured in double locked handcuffs, and transported to the Hopkins County Jail in a marked patrol unit. Due to his prior convictions, the theft charge was upgraded to a felony. Ward was booked into the jail without incident.
