A woman from outside Greene County who was shopping in a local store is now facing a felony charge for theft. She allegedly walked out of the store without paying for baby formula.

Jennifer Marie Wilson, 50, Columbus, Indiana, was arrested by Deputy Sergeant Jordan Allor of the Greene County Sheriff's Department last Saturday, March 25, on a warrant that was issued for her arrest last Tuesday, March 21, as a result of investigation by Officer JR Blazier of the Linton Police Department.

Officer Blazier was the investigating officer for an incident of shoplifting that occurred at the Walmart store in Linton back on February 12. Officer Blazier was dispatched after an Asset Protection Associate contacted LPD and said they were in the parking lot with a woman who had been stealing baby formula and other items.

Officer Blazier was told the woman was being cooperative and was going to head back into the store with the asset protection employees. But before Blazier arrived, he learned the woman had got into her vehicle, a gray 2011 Chevrolet Impala, and was heading east on State Road 54. Blazier attempted to catch up to the vehicle but he was unable to locate it.

Asset protection employees were able to provide a license plate number and when Greene County Dispatch checked records, it was registered to Jennifer Wilson from Columbus. When her BMV photo was shown to the asset protection employees, they confirmed that was the person that was the suspected shoplifter.

The asset protection associates said Wilson told them she did not want to go to jail and that was why she was refusing to cooperate and left the area. They showed Officer Blazier four cans of dry powder Gerber Good Start Soothe Pro baby formula and a gray plastic tote. They also showed him a black and white stuffed panda bear toy that she had removed from the display in the store and taken to the service desk and did a no-receipt return to get cash for the item.

According to the associates, she shopped for several different items and when she went through a self-checkout, she paid for some food from the deli but left without paying for the tote or the baby formula. When confronted at the grocery door she denied stealing it but offered to give the formula back. She was asked to come back into the store and go to the office but she declined and gave them the formula. When asked to come back again she said she would but she needed to check on her dog in the car. At that point she got into her car and left.

The total for all of the items that were recovered was $89.60.

Officer Blazier noted that Wilson has a prior conviction for theft in Bartholomew County and another conviction for a Level 6 felony in Washington County.

By March 21, a criminal case had been filed against Wilson and a warrant issued for her arrest. She was booked into the Greene County Jail at 9:49 PM last Saturday with bond set at $4000 surety with 10% cash allowed. She posted $400 and was released later the same day.

Wilson is scheduled to appear in Greene Superior Court on April 6 for her initial hearing on a charge of theft with a prior conviction for theft, a Level 6 felony.