Shoplifting investigation leads to drug charges at local store

A man suspected of shoplifting at the eastside Walmart in Columbus, is now facing drug possession charges.

Columbus police say that they were called to the store on Whitfield Drive at about 7:15 p.m. Friday night on a reported shoplifter. As the suspect, 31-year-old Dustin E. Howard of Trafalgar, attempted to leave the store he was confronted by police and ran away.

He was caught a short while later and found to allegedly be carrying goods stolen from the store as well as a small amount of methamphetamine.

He is facing preliminary charges of resisting law enforcement, theft and possession of methamphetamine.