Wareham Police arrest couple accused of shoplifting clothes for court appearance

A couple was charged by police on Tuesday, Sept. 11, for shoplifting clothes that they said would have been used for a court appearance the following day.

Officers went to Walmart on Tobey Road for the incident around 10 a.m. on Tuesday. Police said Officers Blaise Lalli and Joseph Cardoza found Heather Murphy, 25, of no certain address and Jason Willoughby, 33, of Wareham attempting to leave the store.

When confronted by police, Murphy reportedly opened her handbag and gave back the clothes that she attempted to steal. She advised the officers that the clothes were needed for a court appearance the following day. Police reported that Willoughby had a pair of shoes stuffed in his pants at the waistline. Other stolen items were later located in the couple’s car.

Both Murphy and Willoughby were arrested pending an appearance in Wareham District Court on Wednesday. Willoughby is being charged with shoplifting, third offense, and Murphy is charged with shoplifting, first offense.