A retail theft call at Mulberry Walmart on Sunday evening, August 31, took an unexpected turn when a suspect’s lies were exposed, resulting in extra charges.
A Polk County Sheriff’s Office officer came to the store when an employee reported a woman attempting to flee with more than $500 in unpaid products. The would-be burglar was pushing a cart loaded with apparel, lotions, strip steak, and oxtail.
When confronted, the woman offered the name “Stephanie.” However, the deputy’s investigation discovered her genuine identity: 38-year-old Kimberly Renee Poe of Lakeland.
Poe’s circumstances worsened once she was detained. A search of her found that she had secreted further stolen goods: two more bottles of lotion and a second tray of oxtail, totaling $561.18.
Poe, who has a past theft record from 2018, was sent to the Polk County Jail. She is charged with retail theft and providing false identification to a law enforcement officer.