Suspected self-service scanning scammer seized

A woman allegedly attempted to shoplift nearly $200 in items from Wal-mart and was nabbed by the store’s Loss Prevention last Tuesday.

On April 27, Cerelia K. Sinclair, 32, of Yelm, was noticed by a Wal-mart employee at the 1401 Galaxy Dr NE store after she began to conceal unpurchased items at the self-scanning register. She was approached by a second Walmart employee asking if she needed assistance.

Sinclair allegedly would scan a cheaper price tag, then place an unpurchased item into the shopping bag during the swing. Items included clothes, makeup, rugs, and laundry detergent for a total value of $190.58, according to the police report.

Lacey Police approached Sinclair, who said she had money to pay, however, she explained the money she had was set aside to pay her rent. Sinclair explained to a Lacey police officer that she did not want to take money away from her rent allocation to pay for the stolen items.

Sinclair further told the officer that she had been recently exposed to COVID-19 and was going to quarantine herself for the next 14 days and wanted to have a sufficient supply of items while she was quarantined.

Sinclair was booked into the Nisqually Jail for Theft.