A Bell County man remains in custody following his arrest last weekend at the Belk department store in

Middlesboro.

Chuck Dewayne Bingham, 53, of Flat Lick is accused of attempting to steal $228 worth of

merchandise from the store on Dec. 29.

Middlesboro Police Officer Michael Bradley responded to the call and made contact with the

store’s loss prevention employee. The report said Bingham had concealed the merchandise and

then left the store.

Bradley’s arrest citation states that Bingham intentionally destroyed the merchandise to remove

an anti-theft device.

The report said Bingham was found with a pair of wire cutters and it is believed by officers that it is what was

used to destroy the merchandise. A foldable blade was also found inside his wallet.

Bingham remains in the Bell County Detention Center charged with theft by unlawful taking

under $500, criminal mischief, possession of burglary tools, and carrying a concealed deadly

weapon.

He was also served a complaint warrant for harassing communications and terroristic

threatening third degree.

He is being held on a $2,000 cash bond.

WRIL contributed to information in this story.