(Hartford Police Department/Washington County Jail)
HARTFORD, Wis. (WKRC) — A woman accused of stealing hundreds of dollars from a Walmart was arrested after she returned to the store during a “Shop with a Cop” event.
According to WITI, 24-year-old Sophia Malak was placed under arrest after she entered the Walmart in Hartford, Wisconsin during the event.
A post from the Hartford Police Department states that the event, held on Saturday, December 6, had “the kind of holiday energy that could make even the Grinch crack a smile.”
At some point during the festivities, however, authorities said an “unexpected plot twist” occurred when a woman who had allegedly committed a felony-level retail theft just a few days earlier entered the store again.
WITI’s report states that Malak had allegedly stolen more than $600 worth of merchandise from the Walmart in question.
“Unfortunately for her, she walked straight into Walmart during the one time of year when the store is basically a satellite police station,” authorities wrote.
The post states that Malak was recognized immediately “with a few quick observations and a whole lot of ‘you’ve got to be kidding me.’”
After confronting Malak, police said they discovered more than $253 worth of items in her cart. The suspect reportedly told officers she was “just trying to get gifts for her kids,” before allegedly admitting to stealing and telling authorities she would have stolen again but “changed her mind” due to the number of officers in the store at the time, per WITI.
Citing prosecutors, WITI reported that law enforcement discovered approximately $900 worth of stolen toys in Malak’s vehicle. She is now facing a felony charge of retail theft.