Home Shoplifting arrest leads to more for Staunton man
Local

Shoplifting arrest leads to more for Staunton man

Chris Graham

Taylor, Gregory JustinThe Waynesboro Police Department arrested a Staunton man on drug and weapon offenses when he and his girlfriend were investigated for shoplifting last Wednesday afternoon.  Gregory Justin Taylor, 31 years old, faces three Waynesboro charges and one Staunton charge after his interaction with police officers at Walmart, 116 Lucy Lane.

Officers responded to Walmart for a report of a couple allegedly shoplifting.  When officers arrived, they detained Olympia Renee Thompson, 22 years old of Harrisonburg, for misdemeanor shoplifting.  The officers learned that her boyfriend, Taylor, was wanted for a capias from Staunton General District Court.  Taylor was in the parking lot when an officer stopped and identified him.  After verifying the existence of the Staunton capias, the officer arrested Taylor.

During their search of Taylor, he admitted to having a syringe and marijuana smoking devices in his pants pocket.  Officers found two smoking devices, a syringe and $65 in his pants pocket.  After seizing these items, Taylor admitted that he had several hundred dollars tucked away in his underwear.  The officers found $800 hidden in his drawers.  In another pants pocket, officers found plastic baggies with a white crystal substance.  In yet another pocket, a set of brass knuckles were found by officers.  When questioned about these items, Taylor gave several explanations including that the pants he was wearing were not his but a friend’s who loaned them to him.  The white crystal substance tested positive for methamphetamine.

Thompson was charged with petit larceny and released.  Taylor faces the following charges in Waynesboro in addition to the Staunton capias:

  • Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute (f)
  • Possession of a Concealed Weapon (brass knuckles) by a Convicted Felon (f)
  • Possession of Controlled Drug Paraphernalia (syringe) (m)

He is being held on bond at Middle River Regional Jail.

Support AFP

Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, TikTok, BlueSky, or subscribe to Substack or his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].

Latest News

donald trump
Politics

Easier to die, harder to vote: The rigged architecture of the Warfare State

virginia tax
Virginia

State income tax filing deadline is Friday: Officials pushing you to file electronically

The filing and payment deadline for Virginia state income taxes is Friday, and Tax Commissioner Kristin Collins is saying it’s best at this stage to file electronically, if you can.

tony elliott gator bowl
Football

UVA Football: Finally, we have the details on Tony Elliott’s extension

UVA Football coach Tony Elliott got himself a million-dollar-a-year raise after his team’s 11-win season in 2025, with a total compensation package at $5.4 million a year, with $100,000 raises over each of the next five years of the deal.

uva football chandler morris
Football

UVA Football: Morris, Taylor among 10 ‘Hoos signing NFL rookie deals

football money
Football

UVA Football: Details on fresh extensions for Kitchings, Rudzinski, Gaither

rob tracinski podcast
Politics, Virginia

Podcast: Rob Tracinski discusses his Sixth District congressional campaign

ryan odom uva basketball
Basketball

UVA Basketball: Odom lands first transfer commitment for 2026 class