Before an alleged shoplifter had made it into her front door at home, a Linton officer pulled up to question her about the theft.

Holly M. Cox, 42, Linton, has been summoned to appear in court on Monday, April 12, as a result of an investigation by Officer Debbie McDonald of the Linton Police Department into an incident of theft on Wednesday, February 3.

Around 5:30 p.m. on February 3, an Asset Protection Associate (APA) from the Walmart store in Linton called the Linton Police Department and said a woman shoplifter had concealed items and he was going to stop her.

Officer McDonald was dispatched but before she could get to the store, the APA called back and said the woman had left in a silver Dodge truck. The APA was able to provide a license plate number and police determined the truck was registered to a man who was staying at Holly Cox’s residence in Linton.

Officer McDonald diverted to the residence and as she was pulling up, Holly Cox was getting out of the driver’s side of the truck. Cox was asked to go to the police department for an interview.

Cox allegedly admitted that she had been in Walmart and had taken items without paying for them. She said she did pay for some things but not all and she had hidden some items in her purse and in her jacket.

During the interview, Cox allegedly admitted that some of the items she took were still in her pockets and she handed several packs of MTG cards to the officer.

Later, Officer McDonald went to Cox’s residence to retrieve additional items and Cox allegedly handed over a pair of thong underwear, a pair of jeans, a pair of shorts and a t-shirt.

All of the retrieved items were returned to the store but the APA said that the woman also took three packs of batteries and two watches that were not returned. He said the total value of all items taken was $198.39.

Cox is facing a preliminary charge of theft, a Class A misdemeanor.