Shoplifting suspect released at the scene

A woman avoided jail on May 28 after being accused to shoplifting at Walmart because she told police she recently tested positive for COVID-19.

Barbara G. Beach, 26, of Olympia, was contacted by Lacey police at the bus station on the 1300 block of Galaxy Drive NE. She was caught by Walmart asset protection on video with a large open bag over her shoulder, allegedly stealing $86.98 of food, markers and cosmetic products.

From the police report: “Beach stated she stole from Walmart because she had a job interview and needed makeup for the interview. She stated she stole food because she was hungry and did not have any money to pay for it. I asked Beach why she stole the markers, she stated she got greedy and should not have stolen them.” Beach confessed to the police that she had taken the items and apologized.

Beach was with an alleged accomplice, Issac Magdaleno, 27, whose address is listed as the same as Beach's, whom asset protection told police was her cover while she placed items in her bag.

Beach and Magdaleno were both issued a “Notification of Restriction from Property” document issued by Walmart. Magdaleno was released at the location.

Lacey police reported that Beach was also cited for shoplifting but, because she had an open wound and told police that she had tested positive for COVID-19 ten days prior, was released at the scene.