Man charged with theft of Princeton Walmart scooter

A Gilbertsville man was arrested Tuesday after he left the Princeton Walmart on one of the store's mobility scooters.

Princeton police officers responded just before 9 p.m. After receiving the report, they quickly spotted the suspect, 63-year-old James Patten, operating the scooter on the shoulder of the highway about a quarter-mile away from the store.

Police said Patten was wearing clothes with the Walmart store tags attached when he was stopped. Police say he also had several unpaid items from the store in addition to the stolen mobility scooter.

Patten was taken to the Caldwell County Jail and charged with shoplifting and theft of the scooter. 


(Photo: Caldwell County Jail)