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Burglar Arrested With Liquor, Cocaine, Axe, Police Say

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By JOSH POLTILOVE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 23, 2007

TAMPA - TAMPA - A Tampa man had an axe stuffed in his pants, a flashlight in his rear pocket and a crack pipe with faux rocks of cocaine in his shirt pocket as he tried stealing a box of liquor from an Ybor City business Saturday, police say.

Tampa police arrested Melvin Walden, 49, on Saturday morning at 2620 E. 7th Ave.

Melvin Walden, 49

An officer came to the location about 1:30 a.m. because the business had an alarm signaling an open back door.

The officer saw Walden inside with $800 in liquor and a flashlight, as well as an axe stuffed in the rear of his pants, a criminal arrest affidavit says. A search later revealed a crack pipe with cocaine residue and 13 faux rocks of cocaine in his shirt pocket.

The business' rear door had been damaged due to Walden's forced entry, according to the affidavit.

Walden, of 2805 1/2 N. 27th St., was charged with armed burglary, possession of burglary tools, possession of cocaine residue and possession of drug paraphernalia. He also was arrested on warrants for grand theft, uttering a forged instrument and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Walden remained in Orient Road Jail on Sunday with no bail set.

Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at jpoltilove@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7691.

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