A woman violated her probation after being caught stealing about $240 in merchandise from Lowe’s at Trailwinds Village.
An officer responded to Lowe’s regarding a retail theft at 1 p.m. Tuesday, according to an arrest report from the Wildwood Police Department. Upon arrival, he met with an asset protection manager who stated 39-year-old April Michele Weeks of Floral City tried to steal numerous items. She had tried to steal from the store before as well as other Lowe’s in surrounding counties.
The manager explained that at 12:45 p.m., they watched Weeks walk through the store and select three 24 packs of AAA Copper Top Alkaline batteries, three 24 packs of AA Copper Top Alkaline batteries, a 20oz Coca-Cola and two portable 12-volt air inflators, all worth about $240. Weeks concealed one of the air inflators in a bag and covered the rest of the merchandise with the bag, the report said.
About 10 minutes later, Weeks passed all points of sale without paying and left through the garden center with the merchandise still concealed in and under her bag. The manager approached her and identified who they were, after which she handed them back the merchandise. She also went back into the store and signed a statement of facts, admitting the theft, the report said.
The manager stated that at no time did Weeks have permission to take items from the store and was now trespassed from the location. The report noted the manager contacted their corporate manager who was willing to prosecute Weeks. The manager also indicated their intent to prosecute, the report said.
Shortly after, the officer read Weeks her rights, which she understood. When asked, she admitted to having passed all points of sale with the merchandise inside her bag, the report said.
Weeks was arrested on charge of petit theft ($100-750) and was transported to the Sumter County Detention Center to be held without bond.
However, Weeks is currently on probation or supervised release status for possession of methamphetamine at the time of her arrest. She was in violation of her probationary status as a result.
Weeks was also wanted out of Citrus County for two counts of grand theft.