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Crime & Safety

Winder Man Arrested for Shoplifting $810 of Merchandise

Man tries to leave store with items concealed in his black leather jacket.

Two separate incidents of shoplifting, one of which involved a Winder man, were reported on Friday, Oct. 26 at the Lowe's store on Epps Bridge Parkway in Oconee County.

Reed Willis Padgett, 43, of Winder, was booked into the Oconee County Jail on a charge of felony theft by shoplifting. Padgett attempted to steal tools and batteries around 2:30 p.m., a store loss prevention employee told Oconee Sheriff's Office deputies.

The employee said he observed Padgett via surveillance cameras as he placed items in his black leather jacket and attempted to leave the store without paying for them.

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According to an incident report, a Dewalt 20V Max 5 tool kit, 18V Dewalt compact battery, heavy duty Dewalt 7.2 V 18V and Linemen's Electrica pliers were recovered. The merchandise was valued at $810.

At approximately 5 p.m., deputies received an additional call to Lowe's where a 28-year-old woman was being held. The loss prevention employee stated seeing the woman take over $650 worth of merchandise and attempt to leave the store without paying. The items weren't listed in the deputy's report.

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Megan Elizabeth Jeffers was charged with felony theft by shoplifting.

Please note an arrest does not mean a conviction.

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