A WOMAN was arrested after she abandoned her two young kids in a hot car while she stole groceries from Walmart.
When police opened the woman’s car door, they described a “rush of heavy heat” that was let out from the car the children were in.
A Walmart Loss Prevention Associate caught Katherine Gordon using a “banana trick” to steal $83 worth of groceries, as per arrest affidavits reported by local CBS affiliate WPEC.
Gordon went around the produce section, replacing barcodes on certain items to make her purchase cheaper.
The mother then allegedly went to self-checkout and avoided paying full price for her items.
Sebastian police arrested the Florida woman as she was walking outside of the store.
Cops reported that Gordon mentioned having two children in her car as police apprehended her.
According to the arrest affidavit, officers discovered two children inside Gordon’s vehicle with the windows rolled up, which hindered air circulation into the car.
The affidavit noted that the kids were found between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., and the temperature was around 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Upon opening the door, police felt a wave of intense heat emanating from the car and observed significant moisture, indicating a potential build-up of carbon monoxide.
When the kids were taken from the vehicle, officers alleged that they were sweating heavily.
EMS noted that the children’s vitals were normal after cops rescued them from the hot car.
Gordon, who did not explain her relationship with the children, said: “She did not think it was a problem leaving the juveniles in the vehicle as long as it was not running, further adding that the juvenile’s parents do it all the time.”
RECENT ARRESTS
Walmart shoppers have been under fire lately for a slew of self-checkout shoplifting-related arrests.
Customer Ashley Cross was caught on security cameras allegedly using an old watch battery barcode to scan expensive products for just $1.
Cops claim that Cross was caught stealing a pair of jeans, a T-shirt, some boots, and 11 packs of ramen noodles from a Walmart in Tennessee.
The items totaled $137, but she paid just $1.
Investigators discovered the thief had a long history of shoplifting from various stores.
Walmart shoplifting arrests
- Ashley Cross was caught on security cameras using an old watch battery barcode to scan expensive products for just $1
- Ex-officer Mark Leenerts stole $317.88 worth of merchandise from Walmart stores in Topeka, Kansas
- Jeremiah Boyer raked in $52,800 in fees on 874 orders while working for Walmart’s online delivery service Spark
- Brent Adam Brooks, of Sylva, North Carolina, was arrested after trying to steal a $198 Frigidaire ice maker
- Kabreshia Caldwell targeted innocent senior citizen customers at Walmart stores across Northeast Florida, stealing a total of $10,000
- Katherine Gordon allegedly stole $80 worth of groceries by replacing barcodes on certain produce items
The arrest led to Cross being banned from every Walmart nationwide.
“We value our customers and associates and want them to have a pleasant shopping experience,” Walmart said in a statement.
“Though rare, there are instances when someone is no longer welcome in our stores.”
Cross has been charged with criminal trespass and theft of merchandise.
