Man held on $10k bond for alleged battery acid thefts

Tuesday, October 13, 2009
By KATHY FAIRCHILD/Staff writer

Michael W. McElroy, 45, unknown address, is in custody at Saline County Justice Facility, charged with class C felony burglary in the second degree.

McElroy is being held on a cash-only bond of $10,000, following his arrest by Marshall police in connection with battery thefts at Marshall's Walmart.

Police allege McElroy purchased the batteries, kept the separately-packaged battery acid, and then attempted to return the batteries, claiming the acid was missing at the time of the purchase.

When a Walmart associate identified McElroy, the report says, McElroy said he had a twin brother residing in Marshall and indicated he had allowed the twin to use his car, suggesting it had been a case of mistaken identity. When questioned further about his twin, however, McElroy said he didn't know the man's address or his birthday. Two addresses McElroy gave as his place of residence in Sweet Springs turned out to be a vacant and uninhabitable residence and an abandoned property, the report alleges.

According to the report, McElroy had signed a trespass warrant at a Topeka, Kan., Walmart, and knew he was not to be on Walmart property. The arrest report indicates McElroy has criminal records in both Kansas and Missouri for stealing, larceny, forgery, petty theft, domestic assault, and assault on a law enforcement officer.

McElroy is scheduled for arraignment Wednesday, Oct. 14, in Associate Court before Judge James T. "Tut" Bellamy.

Charges contained in reports provided by law enforcement officials are not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting charges must be presented before a jury, whose duty is to determine if the accused is guilty or not guilty of the charges.

Contact Kathy Fairchild at marshallhealth@socket.net

Comments

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What about the walmart associate who reconized him will they be getting any kind recognition?

-- Posted by flinstones on Wed, Oct 14, 2009, at 11:36 PM

Qualifies for news of the weird.

-- Posted by collector on Wed, Oct 14, 2009, at 5:31 AM

can't remember your ficticious twin's birthday?!?!? Wouldn't it be, um I don't know...the same as your own?

This one was a good laugh. You can't beat dumb criminals at their best!

-- Posted by patron on Tue, Oct 13, 2009, at 4:42 PM

a past record, no mercy for this guy

-- Posted by yank on Tue, Oct 13, 2009, at 4:25 PM

I'm assuming the battery acid is used in Methamphetamine production...?

-- Posted by EiEiO on Tue, Oct 13, 2009, at 4:09 PM

Man Wal-Mart is on a roll!!

-- Posted by Scarpetta on Tue, Oct 13, 2009, at 3:47 PM