During the month of February, Smyrna Police began investigating a series of purse thefts from businesses in the Smyrna Mart shopping center as well as a vehicle theft from a local car dealer. These incidents were all similar in nature, and the suspect observed on surveillance footage was the same each time. In the purse thefts, the suspect would roam around a business and remove the purse/wallet from another customer’s shopping cart without them noticing. In the vehicle theft, the suspect approached a business on foot where a vehicle was being warmed up. The suspect then entered the vehicle and fled, with the vehicle later being recovered in the city of Dover. On 2/26, the suspect attempted to remove the purse from a victim’s shopping cart at the Goodwill store but was scared off and fled the area on foot. The suspect’s picture and description were broadcast statewide and Officers remained on the lookout. On 2/27, detectives from the Smyrna Police Department observed a male matching the description commit a pedestrian violation in the area of US 13 and North St. Detectives stopped this man, identified as Malcom Deshields, 35 of Smyrna. Mr. Deshields was found to be wanted on several capiases. Detectives took him into custody after a brief struggle. Investigators later conducted a search warrant on Mr. Deshields' residence and recovered several pieces of evidence linking him to these crimes. Mr. Deshields was presented via video court at JP#2 for the crimes listed below and was committed to the Department. Of Corrections in lieu of $10,502 secured bond.
- Attempted theft under $1500, victim 62+
- Resisting arrest
- Pedestrian shall not cross diagonally at intersection
- Theft under $1500, victim 62+
- Theft of a motor vehicle
- Criminal Trespass 3rd
- Theft under $1500, victim 62+
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