WEST WARWICK, R.I. (WHDH) - Two Pennsylvania men were arrested on shoplifting charges in Rhode Island, according to Rhode Island state police.
According to police, a trooper conducted a traffic stop shortly after 3:00 p.m. on Main Street in West Warwick, after seeing the passenger of the car not wearing a seat belt.
The driver initially identified himself as his brother, Christopher Lawson, who was also the passenger in the car.
Further investigation by the trooper identified the driver as 32-year-old Vincent Lawson of Ringtown, PA.
While speaking with the two men, the trooper saw silver tin foil duct tape and a piece of steel mesh nylon on the back seat, which police said are commonly used in “boost bags” during shoplifting to avoid security detection.
The trooper took both men into custody for obstruction of a police officer.
While searching the two suspects, the trooper found a layer of tin foil duct tape on the inner portion of their pants.
After searching the car, the trooper found receipts from Walmart for tin foil duct tape, a piece of steel mesh nylon, and a package of “Heat-n-bond” adhesive. The trooper also found three large plastic trash bags containing $10,000 of CVS non-prescription medication with the security labels still attached.
The investigation showed the medication was stolen from four separate CVS stores in Rhode Island.
Both suspects were charged with obstruction of a police officer during the execution of his duties, felony shoplifting, receiving stolen goods valued at $10,000, utilizing shoplifting implements and conspiracy to commit felony shoplifting.
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