A few days after being released by militants in Nigeria, the American hostage, Cody Oswalt, was taken into custody again this time for allegedly looting $210 worth of lawn furniture from a store.
Oswalt, 23, was arrested about 2 a.m. Saturday along with Joshua Combs, 22, of Jackson, and charged with misdemeanor and receiving stolen property, Raymond Police Chief, Jason Crotwell, said.
Both men were released on their own recognizance, he said. They are scheduled to appear in court April 19. A witness reported seeing the men steal furniture from Bill�s Dollar Store in Raymond, Crotwell said. The men were stopped on Mississippi after they left the store and taken into custody, he said.
Cora Williams, a manager at Bill�s Dollar Store, said the store was closed when a customer in the parking lot saw two men taking furniture from the outside display on the sidewalk. The customer then called police. A total of 36 lawn chairs were taken – 24 of them priced at $5 each and 12 priced at $7.50 each.
Oswalt was one of nine employees of a Houston, Texas-based oil company taken hostage on February 18 by the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta. He was held for five weeks and he returned home March 28. According to Hinds County records, Oswalt was found guilty of felony shoplifting in 2001.
If convicted of misdemeanor and receiving stolen property, he faces a fine of up to $1,000 and/or six months in jail.
Apr52006