Accused shoplifter summoned to appear in court

A woman who allegedly said she knew she was prohibited from entering a store property in Linton is accused of going to the store and putting numerous items inside her black bag before attempting to walk out without paying.

Carolyn M. Straw, 51, Sandborn, is scheduled to appear at an initial hearing in Greene Superior Court on February 8. A summons was issued and sent to her via signature mail in early December.

Straw is facing preliminary charges of theft, a Class A misdemeanor, and criminal trespassing, a Class A misdemeanor, following an investigation by Officer Janzen Franklin of the Linton Police Department.

Officer Franklin was dispatched to the Walmart store in Linton at 8:54 p.m. on November 25, 2020, after Walmart employees reported they had stopped a woman, Carolyn Straw, for shoplifting.

When he arrived, Walmart’s Asset Protection Manager (APM) and an Asset Protection Associate (APA) told him the APA saw Straw select several items from the electronics and the food department, then go to the toy department where she put the items in a black purse before walking past all the registers to leave without paying for the items.

When Officer Franklin talked to Straw, she allegedly admitted she hid the items in her purse then left because she did not have enough money to pay for the items.

The APM said Straw had been previously trespassed from Walmart property on Christmas Eve in 2019 and Straw allegedly admitted she knew she was prohibited from entering the store.

Officer Franklin was provided with video surveillance footage of the incident and he said upon viewing the video that the statements made by the Walmart employees were consistent with the video evidence.

The items Straw attempted to steal, with a total value of $106.51, included an Onn Micro USB, Mrs. Grissom’s Cheese Spread, Bengay Ultra Strength Cream, mild green jalapeno jelly, five Ol’ Roy Munchy Bones, Golden Rewards Duck Jerky, four Ol’ Roy Natural Jumbo Dog Treats, two Purina Busy Beggin’ Twist’ds, light bulbs, Flip Grip Phone Ring, Bernzomatic Detail Torch, Great Value Whipped Cream Spread, Nudges Grillers, Great Value Hazelnut Ground Coffee, Equate Tooth and Gum Relief Gel and Orajel Medicated for Toothache and Gums.

Note: The summons, sent by signature mail, was returned to sender, marked as unclaimed and unable to forward.