Arrests have been made in two separate car break-ins in Clanton.

The first car burglary happened Nov. 17 when a car was broken into on the 200 block of Yellowleaf Road.

The owner reported shoes, shorts and a Blackberry phone stolen, according to Clanton police.

On Nov. 18, L.J. Smith, 39, of Clanton was arrested and charged with theft and breaking and entering a vehicle. An off-duty Clanton police officer noticed the suspect in the Clanton Walmart wearing the allegedly stolen shoes.

“The shoes were very unique basketball shoes for a high school team,” said Police Chief Brian Stilwell. “A photo of the shoes and lookout for the shoes were emailed to all CPD officers.”

The officer contacted an on-duty officer, who stopped Smith behind Pizza Hut just off U.S. 31. The shoes were later confirmed to be the stolen ones.

Smith was charged and placed in the Chilton County Jail under a $5,750 bond.

Officers Ronald Giles and Wade Johnson handled this case for Clanton Police.

In an unrelated case, Clanton police officers responded to a report of a car burglary in progress at Walmart on Friday, Nov. 19.

When officers arrived, they were given a description of the suspect and his direction of travel from the victim and several other witnesses.

Clanton officers, along with Chilton County sheriff’s deputies, responded and began a search in the nearby area.

Clanton officers caught Edwin M. Minor, 18, of Thorsby on Logan Road.

Minor was charged with breaking and entering a vehicle and was placed in the Chilton County Jail under a $5,000 bond.

Officer Robert Bland worked this car burglary for CPD.