3 Calls...1 Suspect

At least 3 different reports investigated by Wilkesboro Police this past weekend involved the same Wilkes County man.  On Friday, Police received a call from Radio Shack regarding someone shoplifting.  Store employees reported that a tall, skinny white male who was obviously drunk came into the store.  After he left, store employees noticed a camera missing and the empty box left behind of the shelf where the man had been.  Then about 45 minutes later, Walmart called Police regarding an intoxicated person and disturbance in the parking lot there.  The person was identified as 25-year-old Manson Blankenship of Wilkesboro.  Blankenship had been banned from Walmart due to a previous incident, so he was arrested for trespassing.  At that time Police found in his possession some radar detectors and instructions for the camera that was stolen from Radio Shack; however, the camera was not found.  Then by 5:20 am Saturday, Police were called again to a possible vehicle break-in behind Walmart.  Again, Police found Blankenship and again arrested him for trespassing.  This time Police found a bag with Blankenship which contained a camera matching the description of the one stolen from Radio Shack.  Video surveillance video from Walmart revealed that Blankenship had stolen two radar detectors from there, so he was also charged with larceny.  Video surveillance from Radio Shack will be viewed to determined if he took the camera and additional charges are pending.