A Dollar General manager in Philippi, West Virginia, was arrested on Sept. 12 and charged with soliciting a minor after police say he locked a girl inside the store. Jeffrey Malcolm, 35, was booked into Tygart Valley Regional Jail and is being held on a $40,000 bond. Authorities allege he made inappropriate comments and offered to pay for items; the girl left the store when other employees exited and Malcolm opened the door. Police seized his phone and reported a blood-alcohol reading of 0.136% while he was at work.
Dollar General Manager Arrested in West Virginia After Allegedly Locking Minor Inside Store
Jeffrey MalcolmCredit: Tygart Valley Regional Jail
A Dollar General manager in Philippi, West Virginia, was arrested on Sept. 12 and charged with soliciting a minor after authorities say he locked a girl inside the store.
Arrest and Charges: Police identified the suspect as 35-year-old Jeffrey Malcolm. According to Barbour County Sheriff's Office records, Malcolm was taken into custody and booked into Tygart Valley Regional Jail in Belington, W. Va., on Sept. 12. He faces one count of soliciting a minor and is being held on a $40,000 bond.
Allegations: The arrest followed a complaint from the girl's mother, who reported that her daughter had been confined inside the store while Malcolm allegedly made inappropriate comments and offered to pay for some items the minor was selecting. The criminal complaint obtained by local station WDTV alleges Malcolm later locked the girl inside the Dollar General while other staff members were present.
How The Girl Left: During the interaction, employees who were taking out the trash left the building; police say Malcolm opened the door for them, which allowed the girl to exit the store unharmed. The minor's identity has not been released because she is underage.
Investigation Details: Investigators reportedly seized Malcolm's phone as part of the probe. Authorities also say his blood-alcohol concentration tested at 0.136% while he was on duty. Local outlets WDTV and WBOY reported on the case, citing the Barbour County Sheriff's Office and the criminal complaint. PEOPLE has contacted the Barbour County Sheriff's Office for comment.
Note: All allegations are from law enforcement records and local reporting; the arrested individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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