LAMAR COUNTY, Ala. – A man and woman on the run from felony shoplifting charges have been apprehended, with another three suspects facing charges for helping the man evade authorities.
Heather Russ, 35, is charged with one felony count of shoplifting. Christopher Tedford, 27, is charged with one felony count of shoplifting and escape by the Amory Police Department, one felony count of burglary by Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office and a misdemeanor charge for resisting arrest by Lamar County Sheriff’s Office.
Russ and Tedford allegedly stole 79 items from a Walmart in Amory on July 29, including tires, clothing and food that totaled nearly $3,000, bringing it to the level of a felony.
Lowndes County deputies arrested Russ on Thursday after finding her in a home in Steens. Hawkins said she was taken to Lowndes County Adult Detention Center before being transferred on Friday to Monroe County Jail.
Tedford was initially arrested by Lowndes deputies on Wednesday, but he was taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle after telling deputies he had consumed fentanyl. He fled Baptist on foot before tests could be administered.
Hawkins said Tedford was caught on surveillance cameras Wednesday night breaking into Heritage Academy while wearing his hospital gown. He was allegedly stealing items from the school to wear as clothing, he said.
Columbus Police Department Public Information Officer Bryan Moore had told The Dispatch on Thursday that officers did not find Tedford in the school when the department assisted LCSO with the search.
On Monday, authorities found Tedford hiding under a bed in a home on McCrary Road in Sulligent, Alabama, after receiving an anonymous tip that he was there, an LCSO press release said. He allegedly resisted arrest, but Tedford was eventually taken into custody.
The homeowner, Ben Allen, and two residents of the home, Rebecca Pierce and Monte Grubowski, are all charged with hindering prosecution.
Hawkins said Tedford will be extradited to Mississippi to face his charges in Amory and Lowndes County after settling charges for resisting arrest in Lamar County.
Lamar County Sheriff’s Office did not provide ages for Allen, Pierce and Grubowski by press time Tuesday.
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