Flowood Police Department officials said a Wesson police officerwas charged in an alleged shoplifting incident last week at a localretail store.

Flowood Police Chief Johnny Dewitt said Daniel DewayneHutchinson, 35, of 1020 College Park Circle, Wesson, was arrestedaround 10:30 a.m. Oct. 24 after a loss prevention official at theFlowood Wal-Mart called in that he had detained a shoplifter.

“We identified the detainee as Daniel Hutchinson, and he hadallegedly taken some kind of sporting goods item, valued at about$30,” Dewitt said. “The loss prevention officer from Wal-Mart cameto the police department and signed an affidavit againstHutchinson, and he was released on his own recognizance to hiswife.”

Dewitt said Hutchinson was booked in at the Flowood PoliceDepartment.

“We deal with 30 or 40 of these a day, whether it’s Belk orTarget or any of the big stores,” Dewitt said. “We don’t actuallycatch them ourselves, loss prevention catches them and detainsthem, and signs an affidavit. We just transport them.”

Dewitt emphasized that the charges were signed by Wal-Mart andnot brought by the police department.

“Sometimes they’re wrong,” he said.

Hutchinson has resigned from the Wesson Police Department,officials said. Acting Police Chief Chad Sills said the departmentwould make no comment on the reasons for Hutchinson’s resignation,but confirmed that it was official on Oct. 27.

“His resignation will be turned in to the board (of aldermen)Tuesday night,” Sills said.

Hutchinson said he was unable to comment pending discussionswith his attorney.