Second Arrest Made in Millbrook Walmart Organized Theft Case
Millbrook police arrested a second suspect in a May organized retail theft at the Walmart on Kelly Boulevard, charging 35 year old Demonta Steele of Montgomery with organized retail theft following his November 13 arrest. The investigation previously yielded an arrest in July, and remains active with additional arrests possible, a development that matters to local retailers and shoppers concerned about coordinated theft rings.
Millbrook police confirmed a second arrest tied to a coordinated theft scheme at the Walmart on Kelly Boulevard that occurred in May. Investigators allege the operation involved two women and two men who worked together to obtain merchandise and process refunds so two of the suspects could leave the store with unpaid goods. On November 13 authorities arrested 35 year old Demonta Steele of Montgomery on a charge of organized retail theft. Steele is being held in the Elmore County Jail on a $30,000 bond.
The case is part of an ongoing investigation that produced an earlier arrest in July. Millbrook police said the probe remains active and that additional arrests are possible as officers follow up on leads and review evidence. The multi month timeline from the May incident through the July and November arrests highlights the complexity of cases that involve coordinated actors across municipal lines, in this instance involving suspects from outside Autauga County.
For local residents the immediate impact is both practical and economic. Retail losses from organized theft often translate into higher security costs for stores, altered staffing patterns at customer facing registers, and increased vigilance for employees and shoppers. Walmart on Kelly Boulevard serves many Autauga County households, and the presence of an organized theft case can affect shopper perceptions of safety and convenience. Smaller local retailers with narrower margins are often more vulnerable to the revenue shock and staffing disruptions that follow coordinated shoplifting incidents.
Policy implications include stronger coordination between Millbrook police, Elmore County authorities, and neighboring jurisdictions, along with possible adjustments to store loss prevention practices. Prosecutors must weigh bond and charging decisions against the evidence developed by investigators. Over the longer term, repeated organized retail theft incidents can influence retail investment decisions, insurance premiums, and local employment in the retail sector if businesses respond by scaling back hours or security sensitive services.
Millbrook authorities continue to seek information from the public as the investigation proceeds. The arrests to date illustrate the broader challenge of addressing organized retail theft and the need for local law enforcement and retailers to work together to protect community commerce and public safety.
