CLARKSTON, WA — A Clarkston man, Aaron Scott Cornell, 35, was arrested Wednesday afternoon on multiple burglary charges following an alleged theft and trespassing incident at Walmart, according to court documents.
Cornell was taken into custody at approximately 1:20 p.m. and booked into the Asotin County Jail on three counts of second-degree burglary, a Class B felony in Washington State.
Police responded after Walmart loss prevention staff reported that Cornell, previously banned from Walmart stores, concealed multiple items and switched clearance tags onto higher-priced merchandise. Store personnel attempted to stop him before he passed the point of sale, after which the items, valued at $448.12, were abandoned.
Cornell denied stealing, claiming he intended to purchase the merchandise. During transport to jail, he reportedly admitted to taking items due to homelessness.
Court documents indicate prior incidents at the same store, including thefts on September 24, 2025 ($71.14 in merchandise) and November 24, 2025 ($23.88 in merchandise), both documented by loss prevention staff.
Cornell is expected to make his initial court appearance on Thursday. In Washington, a Class B felony carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a $20,000 fine, or both.
