A woman who believed she had gotten away with a theft at Walmart learned the hard way that law enforcement wasn’t done with her case. What began as a routine traffic stop days later quickly turned into a felony arrest, leaving her stunned as officers explained that her “clean getaway” had been anything but.

According to police, the incident started earlier this month when loss prevention staff at a local Walmart suspected the woman—whose name has not been released pending court proceedings—of concealing several items during a shopping trip. Surveillance footage allegedly showed her scanning only part of her cart before heading out through self-checkout, a tactic that retailers across the country say has become increasingly common.

At the time, the woman left the store without incident. No confrontation occurred, and she apparently assumed the matter was closed. However, Walmart’s loss prevention team later reviewed video footage and documented the alleged theft, then turned the evidence over to police.

“Just because someone isn’t stopped at the door doesn’t mean they got away with it,” said [Local Police Department] spokesperson Lt. [Name]. “We often investigate these cases after the fact, once we’ve reviewed footage and verified what took place.”

Days later, officers pulled the woman over for what they described as a minor traffic infraction—reportedly a rolling stop at a neighborhood intersection. But when they ran her information, they discovered that a warrant had been issued for felony retail theft based on the Walmart investigation.

What started as a simple traffic stop suddenly became far more serious.

“She was cooperative,” Lt. [Name] said. “But you could tell she had no idea a warrant had already been filed. It was a surprise to her.”

Police took the woman into custody without incident. She was booked at the [County] Jail and later released on bond pending an upcoming court appearance.

Authorities say the value of the stolen merchandise, combined with prior theft-related incidents, elevated the charge to a felony under state law. In many jurisdictions, theft of merchandise valued over $750–$1,000, or repeat offenses, can trigger felony-level prosecution.

Retail theft—particularly at major chains like Walmart and Target—has been a growing concern for law enforcement nationwide. Many stores have stepped up surveillance and work closely with local police departments to identify repeat offenders. Increasingly, arrests are made not in the store itself but after investigators review video footage and match identities through loyalty programs, vehicle plates, or social media.

“This is a reminder that these cases don’t just disappear,” Lt. [Name] added. “We see more and more people thinking they’ve gotten away with something only to have officers show up later with evidence.”

The woman is scheduled to appear in [County] District Court next month. If convicted, she could face fines, probation, or even jail time, depending on her prior record.

Police say the case should serve as a warning to others: retail theft may seem minor, but it can carry lasting consequences.