An Arizona woman was arrested for theft when Walmart employees caught her ignoring about $45 worth of merchandise during scanning.
A deputy responded to a call at Walmart, 550 U.S. Hwy. 27 in Clermont, about a shoplifter in the theft prevention office Monday around 1:03 p.m., according to a police report from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Upon arrival, the officer encountered anti-theft employees who reported that she observed 51-year-old Leslie Michelle Rickard not scanning merchandise or not scanning it at all. She stacked items and only scanned them once. Some items were placed in Walmart bags on top of unpaid merchandise, the report states.
The cashier tried to help Rickard, but she continued to skip scanning the merchandise. She walked to the exit of the supermarket and passed all the cash registers without attempting to pay. She stopped, and the doorman told her to go to the Loss and Precaution Prevention Office, the report said.
At the office, Rickard handed over all the unpaid merchandise. The store wanted to sue the man for theft of $45.36, the report said.
At the scene, the officer observed Rickard on video surveillance scanning various grocery items. She also placed Walmart bags over the unpaid items and walked past all of the points of sale, the report states.
Rickard was arrested for petty theft. The Colorado native was taken to the Lake County Jail and released after posting $500 bail.
