A woman was arrested after allegedly attempting to steal pet feeders Thursday at Wal-Mart in Ocala.
Marion County sheriff’s deputies responded to the Wal-Mart located at 9570 SW Hwy. 200 in reference to a retail theft, according to an arrest report. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with the store’s loss prevention officer who advised that while conducting floor surveillance, he observed 33-year-old Megan Ann Welsch of Hernando enter the Wal-Mart at 7:40 p.m., the report stated. He then observed Welsch push a shopping cart to the pet department, where she selected two pet feeders and placed them into the cart. She then went to the toy department where she concealed one of the feeders in a hooded sweatshirt, which she entered the store with. The loss prevention officer then observed her going to the men’s department and choosing  a black hooded sweatshirt, which she concealed the other feeder in. Welsch made several more selections and proceeded to the grocery self-checkout, where she paid for a pack of Powerade drinks, but did not pay for the other items she selected. She then walked to the grocery exit where the loss prevention officer made contact with her and identified himself.
Deputies reviewed video surveillance and observed Welsch attempting to steal the items mentioned, which valued at $57.84 in total.
Deputies made contact with Welsch, who advised she had “forgotten to pay for the items,” the report stated.
Welsch was placed under arrest and transported to the Marion County Jail. Bond was set at $500.
