Police: Man burned trying to steal meth ingredients | Crime

A Jonesboro man wound up in the hospital Wednesday evening after police say he tried to shoplift the ingredients to make methamphetamine.

Just after 8 p.m. an officer was called to the Walmart Supercenter, 1815 E. Highland, in reference to a shoplifter.

According to the officer’s report, 24-year-old Mitchell Barber admitted to pouring a small amount of drain cleaner he had taken from the store into a plastic bottle then put the bottle into a plastic baggie inside his pocket.  He also reportedly poured crystals from a cold pack into the baggie.

When the store’s loss prevention officer attempted to stop him, Barber ran.  That’s when the drain cleaner “splashed onto the left side of his face, left shoulder, arm and leg,” according to the report.  

Barber was taken by ambulance to St. Bernards Regional Medical Center for treatment of chemical burns to his face and legs.

According to the officer’s report, Barber “stated he was going to use the items for making crystal meth.”

He was charged with theft of less than $1,000/shoplifting and released.