On May 21, 2017, at approximately 2:29 PM, Deputy J.W. Hutcheson responded to a Larceny at the Walmart located at 11 Village Parkway. Upon arrival, he made contact with the Loss Prevention staff member and learned that earlier in the day a male, later identified as Joshua Abell, had stolen two knife/cutlery sets and a portable charger. The Walmart representative advised that the male was observed to cut the portable charger out of its package, go in the bathroom, then pick up the cutlery sets and depart the store. At approximately 2:10 PM the same man was seen talking with another male in the Walmart parking lot. The second male entered the store and returned one of the knife sets and received a gift card.

Deputy Hutcheson responded to the address on the identification and interviewed the second male subject. The male stated that his friend needed assistance returning a purchase because Walmart no longer accepted returns from him. The male then provided Deputy Hutcheson with contact information for Mr. Abell.

As Deputy Hutcheson was traveling on Mountain View Road, he saw a male, matching Mr. Abell’s description, standing behind a black vehicle. Deputy Hutcheson approached the subject and began to question him about the earlier Walmart incident. Mr. Abell admitted to stealing the items, receiving the gift card and still possessing the second set of knives and the portable charger. Mr. Abell advised that the other subject did not know the items he was asked to return were stolen. Mr. Abell was taken into custody and searched. During the search, marijuana was located, as well as credit/debit cards, and a social security card, not in Mr. Abell’s name.

Joshua Adam Abell, age 31 of Cabell Road in Stafford, VA., was charged with Obtaining Money by False Pretenses, Petty Larceny, Driving Suspended and Possession of Marijuana. He was incarcerated at the Rappahannock Regional Jail on a $1,000 secured bond.