Two Charged with Shoplifting at Newport Walmart in Separate Incidents

Newport Police charged Alexandra King, 22, of 31 Bourbon St., Portsmouth, with shoplifting Monday after she allegedly concealed nearly $200 worth of items from the Connell Highway Walmart under a coat and tried to leave the store without paying.

Police said they were dispatched to the Walmart at around 5:51 p.m. for a report of a cooperative shoplifter.

King reportedly was observed by store security officers as she put items inside a tote box and under a coat in her shopping cart. She then went through the checkout area and paid for several items, but not what was hidden under her coat, according to a police report.

King allegedly told police that she forgot that she put the merchandise into the tote bin and accidentally tried to leave the store without paying.

King was arrested for shoplifting and was alter released with a Feb. 25 District Court date.

Police on Monday also charged Juana Lama, 58, of 231 Maple Ave., Newport, with shoplifting from the Connell Highway Walmart at around 2:45 p.m.

Police said Lama ate a Slim Jim while at the store and left the wrapper on a shelf. She also switched tags on two items, replacing the price tag for a set of cupcake tins with a tag from a set of paring knives.

According to a police report, store security officers saw Lama switch the tags and then begin to check herself out at a self-checkout register.

Lama then apparently became nervous and went to a regular checkout line and left the store after paying.

The store’s loss prevention team took note of the car used by Lama to drive away and police later went to her Maple Avenue address and took her into custody on a charge of shoplifting.

She was later released and is due to appear in District Court on Feb. 25.