As peppermint flavored everything and Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You” emerge from their hiding holes, so do the shoplifters. A wanted Spotsylvania man is sure to end up with coal in his stocking after a foiled larceny in Stafford.

16 days before Christmas, December 9th, at approximately 12:56 p.m. First Sergeant D.F. Purcell was dashing through Stafford for the Special Problems Unit’s anti-shoplifting detail. While doing so, he stopped by the holly jolly Target, located at 25 South Gateway Drive. His timing was as spectacular as a gingerbread house that doesn’t crumble, for staff just made contact with a shoplifter.

Using camera footage, First Sergeant Purcell was able to observe the suspect prancing around the business more than Comet or Cupid. While doing so, he would fill his sleigh with nearly $190 worth of items and pass all points of sale. Staff would make contact with the bah humbug moments before First Sergeant Purcell arrived. The items, unlikely on their way to be donated to our Annual Holiday Toy Drive, were collected by the business.

This Christmas Carol took a turn when the suspect was discovered to be on Fredericksburg’s naughty list. The suspect, Quinten Howard, 40, was wanted for robbery, breaking and entering, possession of controlled substances, and trespassing. During their interaction, it was discovered this Grinch was not alone. Two females with him were also discovered to be actively shoplifting. Luckily, First Sergeant Purcell was also not alone and Deputy M.A. Pearce stopped them before they could get away with all the figgy pudding. The two females were both released on a summons for shoplifting.

Howard took the Polar Express up to Rappahannock Regional Jail where he was served on his outstanding warrants, and charged with shoplifting. He was held without bond.