LIBERTY — Two Youngstown men were arrested on criminal trespassing and shoplifting charges by Liberty police.

Marques White, 38, of Youngstown, was charged with theft and criminal trespass at the Liberty Plaza Walmart, while Robert Bowers, 37, also of Youngstown, was charged with theft.

According to the police report, an officer occupying a bank’s side detail overheard a report of two men, a white man with blue jeans, later identified as Bowers, and a black man with a black jacket, later identified as White, carrying duffel bags and leaving the Walmart.

The store’s loss prevention employees were advised to confront them, but Bowers ignored verbal commands to stop and began walking toward Five Below in the same plaza.

White gave back some of the stolen merchandise, however.

According to the report, the officer, who appeared at the scene later, saw White running through the parking lot toward Belmont Avenue. The report states the officer recognized White as he drove past him, as they’ve had previous encounters.

White denied being at the Walmart, claiming to have been at a nearby gas station, and was arrested after another officer noticed narcotic equipment in his hand.

The officer learned of White’s active possession of drugs warrant and took him back to the store.

Meanwhile, Bowers was apprehended in front of Bull & Bear Bar & Grille, a few blocks north of the plaza, and was confirmed to have an active larceny warrant.

Officers learned that both men were repeat criminal trespass offenders, and were both provided with trespass and banning notices from Walmart.

Bowers’s bail was set at $5,000. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Monday morning and is set to appear back in Girard Municipal Court for a pre-trial hearing Jan. 8, according to court records.

White’s bail was set at $9,000 for the theft charges and $5,000 for the possession of drugs offense. He was due to appear in court for his arraignment in Girard Municipal Court Monday, but court records do not show any action with his case.