The Grinch Steals Christmas During Shop With a Cop Event at Howell Walmart

It takes a real Grinch to try to pull off a heist during a charity event, but a brazen woman did just that, trying to steal more than $700 worth of stuff from a Howell-area Walmart.

Woman Tries to Steal From Walmart With 75 Cops in the Store

The incident occurred last weekend at the Walmart in Livingston County, near Howell. Officers from the Michigan State Police were on hand for their annual Shop With a Cop event, where they help needy kids shop for themselves and their families.

Lt. Rene Gonzalez with the Michigan State Police explained to Detroit's WJBK-TV that the officers made it clear they were present at the store, arriving with lights and sirens to welcome the children to the event.

"We bring children that might otherwise not have a good Christmas get to come to the store," Gonzalez said. "They get $100,  sometimes a $150 gift card to go and shop for themselves with your family."

 

Stealing Right In Front of the Cops

Gonzalez says the 62-year-old woman loaded up her cart with all sorts of merchandise and then proceeded to leave the store, ignoring a clerk who attempted to look at the woman's receipt.

She made it to the parking lot and was loading about $730 worth of merchandise into her car - ironically parked right next to a police car.

Gonzalez says one of the officers had to temporarily abandon his little shopping buddy to arrest the woman.

"I do have to say it surprised me because when I'm driving a patrol car, people slow down," he said. "When you see 75 cops in the store, I mean, I don't know if maybe they thought we were too busy."

The woman was escorted to the Livingston County Jail and the officer was then able to get back to the store to finish the event.