Shoplifting call turns into late-night arrest in Sparta

A White County man is facing burglary and criminal conspiracy charges after what authorities say began as a shoplifting call at a Dollar General and ended with deputies locating a suspect lying in the grass along Monterey Highway.

According to an arrest warrant, deputies were first called to the Dollar General at 5303 Monterey Highway around 8:30 p.m. on April 13, 2026. By the time law enforcement arrived, two suspects had already left the scene. A portion of the stolen merchandise was recovered in a cart nearby, but store employees estimated roughly $500 worth of items were still missing.