Michigan woman allegedly caught stealing from Walmart during 'shop with a cop' event
75 officers from different local agencies were attending holiday family event at Walmart
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A Michigan woman was arrested at a Walmart store over the weekend after she was allegedly caught shoplifting during a "shop with a cop" event with over 70 police officers present.
Law enforcement officers were at the store in Genoa Township on Saturday when a clerk notified police that a woman had packed a cart with about $730 goods and ran through the self-checkout, Michigan State Police Lt. Rene Gonzalez told FOX2 Detroit.
"I do have to say it surprised me because when I'm driving a patrol car, people slow down," Gonazlez said. "When you see 75 cops in the store, I mean, I don't know if maybe they thought we were too busy."
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Gonzalez said police officers at the event partner with children whose families may not be able to afford much during the holiday season.
A 62-year-old woman was arrested at a Michigan Walmart after allegedly stealing over $700 worth of items while about 75 officers were present during a "shop with a cop" event. (Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images)
"We bring children that might otherwise not have a good Christmas get to come to the store," the lieutenant said. "They get $100, sometimes a $150 gift card to go and shop for themselves with your family."
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As officers and children were shopping, the 62-year-old woman walked out of the store with a variety of items, including groceries and clothes, without paying, according to police.
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A trooper followed the woman to the parking lot and spotted her loading the stolen goods in her car, which was parked next to a police cruiser, the report said.
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Police said the woman was arrested and taken to the Livingston County Jail. She bonded out but will be charged with retail fraud. The woman’s identity was not immediately released.