Man who no-showed for trial sought by police

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New Boston, Texas: A man who no-showed for his own jury trial at the Bowie County courthouse Tuesday is being sought by police.

Demontrous Witcher, 31, was scheduled to go on trial this week for theft before 202nd District Judge John Tidwell. Tidwell was forced to release a panel of prospective jurors Tuesday because of Witcher’s unexcused absence. A warrant has been issued for Witcher’s arrest and the failure to appear could mean additional time in prison.

While Witcher has multiple felony counts for theft offenses pending in Bowie County, he was scheduled to be tried this week for allegedly shoplifting lady’s perfume Feb. 22, 2016, from Ulta Beauty in Texarkana, Texas. According to a probable cause affidavit, store pesonnel became suspicious of two women and began watching them on surveillance cameras in the fragance area. The store manager allegedly watched as the women stuffed their purses with $1,162 in perfume and leave the store without making any effort to pay.

A week after the theft, the store manager contacted police and told them someone had given one of the suspects a name after seeing a photo from the surveillance footage on TXK Today’s Facebook page. The name given to the manager was Witcher’s and investigators confirmed the connection after comparing the surveillance photo to Witcher’s mugshot.

Witcher was allegedly meeting with detectives in reference to another case March 3, 2016, when Witcher brought up the subject of the Ulta Beauty alleged shoplifting. Witcher told the detectives his picture had been put on Facebook by Ulta Beauty and that he was planning sue the store for defamation because he had not stolen anything.

According to the affidavit, “Witcher confirmed he was the suspect by his statement. However he was clearly seen on video taking perfumes.”

Anyone with information on Witcher’s whereabouts should contact police.

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