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Hutchens
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Markle
Two Alton men were charged Monday in Madison County Circuit Court with a felony charge of retail theft over $300, Madison County Sheriff Robert J. Hertz said in a press release.
The men are identified as Ryan T. Markle, 35, of the 300 block of Mitchell Street; and Scotty Hutchens, 30, of the 3200 block of Belle Street.
On Friday, March 28, at approximately 6 p.m., the Madison County Sheriff’s Office responded to Walmart, 6660 Godfrey Road, Godfrey, in reference to a retail theft. A Walmart employee reportedly observed a man push a shopping cart, containing about $600 in merchandise, out of the store without paying. The man pushed the cart to a vehicle on the parking lot. An occupant of the vehicle helped the unknown subject load the items into the parked vehicle. After loading the stolen merchandise into the vehicle, the subject fled the parking lot south on Godfrey Road.
The responding deputies stopped the vehicle on Godfrey Road near Stamper Lane. The two occupants of the vehicle were identified as Markel and Hutchens. Markel was identified as the man who pushed the merchandise out of the store; Hutchens was identified as the driver and man who helped Markle load the stolen merchandise into the vehicle.
Markel and Hutchens were arrested and transported to the Madison County Jail, where they were held pending a formal review of facts by the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office. The warrants and criminal informations were issued by Judge Neil Schroeder, who set bond at $40,000 for each defendant.