Bail has been set for the man accused of stealing water bottles, tea kettles, and a backpack from the Manitowoc Walmart.
34-year-old Fong Vang was before Court Commissioner Patricia Koppa on Friday afternoon on charges of Obstructing, Retail Theft, Misdemeanor Bail Jumping, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
The state requested a $1,000 cash bail, specifically noting that Vang had not provided an address to the court.
His defense attorney responded to that comment by noting that Vang is homeless, and added, “Frankly, it sometimes confuses this attorney how the state can somehow miss that, and blame someone for their poverty.”
Commissioner Koppa explained that she believes “one should not be in jail waiting conviction if they won’t be in jail after conviction,” and noted that the charges are all misdemeanors.
For those reasons, she set the bail at $200 cash and continued the signature bond on a prior case.
Vang was arrested after a Walmart employee saw him fill a backpack with several bottles and tea kettles.
He was confronted outside of the store and fled on foot, but was later located by police.
He initially provided a false identity, but eventually gave his real name.
He is due back in court on October 30th at 10:30 a.m.
