Walmart Shoplifting
On. Feb 18 at about 12:36 p.m., Officer Amanda Reed responded to Walmart on Loudon Road for a shoplifter in custody.
According to Reed's report, loss-prevention associate Eric McGrath had been following Michelle Belkner, 30, of Boscawen around the store for approximately two hours. McGrath told Reed that he saw Belkner select several items and put them in her purse. He also said that he saw her select a hat from a display and put it on her head, where he says she left it as if it were hers. Later, Belkner did pay for some in her cart, but never paid for the hat or the items she had put into her purse, McGrath said.
McGrath said that he and loss prevention associate Christie Beers stopped Belkner outside the store and identified themselves. Belkner produced 17 items with a total value of $125.48 that McGrath suspected she had stolen from the store. She not only put several items in her purse, but she also put more items inside the bag of a comforter that she had purchased, according to the report. Another item was hidden behind Belkner's daughter, who was in an infant seat attached to the cart, the report stated.
Belkner said that her daughter was sick with a 103 degree temperature, and that she needed to get her home, Reed wrote. Reed noted that although Belkner's daughter did appear to have a “very bad cough,” none of the items taken were medicine or juice for her daughter, but rather such items as jewelry, a pillow case, drapes and more.
Belkner was released on a small summons charging her with theft. She is due in court on March 31.
