Ex-town marshal arrested in beer theft

WESTPORT, Ind. (WISH) - A former town marshal was arrested Thursday after Indiana Excise Police said he stole beer from a store on Super Bowl Sunday while on duty and in uniform.

Excise has been investigating since a receiving a complaint March 7 alleging that Steven Todd Hampton, 42, then the Westport town marshal, took beer from the Westport Mini Mart, 102 N. Ind. 3, without paying for it on Feb. 5. Police said he was on duty, in uniform and driving a marked patrol car.

Excise said Hampton initially told investigators that he was investigating the illegal sale of alcohol for carryout on a Sunday, and he turned over a 12-pack of Bud Light beer he allegedly bought that day. Excise Officer Mike Cruz, however, said the beer Hampton turned in was bought by someone else at a later date.

Hampton, who resigned on March 21, now faces a preliminary charge of official misconduct. He turned himself in at Decatur County Jail on Thursday.