OCALA, Fla. — A local woman was arrested Wednesday after allegedly attempting to leave a Walmart garden center with nearly $500 worth of unpaid merchandise.
Erin Colleen Janice Sherlock, 30, was charged with larceny/grand theft (retail) of between $300 and $5,000. The arrest occurred shortly before 8 p.m. at the Walmart located at 2600 SW 19th Avenue Road.
Two loss-prevention agents told Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies that they began monitoring Sherlock after noticing suspicious behavior in the hardware aisle. The agents observed her concealing items in a frozen grocery bag while also carrying loose groceries.
Sherlock then proceeded to the garden center and attempted to exit without paying for the merchandise. She was detained by the agents and escorted to the loss-prevention office.
When questioned, Sherlock said she had lost her job in March and lacked money for food. The total value of the 135 items in her cart was $494.69.
Sherlock was taken to the Marion County Jail, where she remained in custody on a $2,000 bond as of Saturday. She is scheduled to appear in Marion County Court on September 17.
