FARMINGTON — A Livermore Falls man was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of theft Wednesday evening after he took money from a female acquaintance in the parking lot of Walmart.

John Oberton, 21, saw an opportunity to help himself to her money and did, Farmington police secretary Bonnie Pomeroy said.

The woman went to Walmart at approximately 8:15 p.m. to get a money order and pay a bill, Pomeroy read from officer Ryan Wagner’s report.

Oberton was with her and saw the opportunity to take the money while they were still in the parking lot. He apparently had another male waiting to drive him away from the store.

When police asked other departments to be on the lookout for the vehicle, Wilton police officer Andrew Hardy saw the vehicle on Main Street in Wilton near the old Backus Garage.

The driver stopped the vehicle without incident and police recovered all the money taken, which was less than $1,000.

Oberton was arrested on charges of theft and violating condition of release. He was taken to Franklin County Detention Center.

No charges have been made against the driver at this point, she said.

Although initially reported as a robbery in the store parking lot, a police investigation revealed it had been a theft by someone she knew. No weapons were used, she said.

abryant@sunjournal.com