BY CHIEF P.K. JOHNSON
MILLBROOK POLICE DEPARTMENT
On November 30, 2020, Millbrook police officers responded to Walmart with regard to a theft in progress. A loss prevention associate advised that two females entered the business and filled two shopping carts with property and utilized stickers to under scan property during the checkout process. As one of the females attempted to leave the business with property that had not been paid for, she was approached by loss prevention personnel. At that point the offender became aggressive and then fled across the parking lot where she was apprehended by responding officers. The second suspect discarded her shopping cart inside the store and fled the scene in a silver vehicle, make and model unknown.
Britannica Simmons, a 29-year-old Montgomery resident, was taken into custody and transported to the Millbrook Police Department, where she was charged with Theft of Property 2nd Degree. Simmons was processed and transported to the Elmore County Jail and placed under a $5,000.00 bond.
Unfortunately, it’s not only the season of giving, it’s also the season for thieving. We see an increase in retail theft each year as the holidays approach. That said, I’m both amazed and appalled that people continued to come to businesses in this city, particularly Wal-Mart, to commit these property crimes. As I’ve stated many times over the years, Wal-Mart has one of the best surveillance systems that you can purchase and their loss prevention staff does an excellent job. Our responding officers did an outstanding job with their response and were able to quickly apprehend this offender without incident.
I hope the offender learned at least two valuable lessons during her brief visit to our city. Her accomplice fled the scene, leaving the offender to face the repercussions alone. There is no honor among thieves. More importantly, if you come to the Millbrook Wal-Mart to commit retail theft, chances are pretty darn good that you’ll be apprehended and taken to the Elmore County Jail. With all due respect to my friend and colleague, Sheriff Bill Franklin, the Elmore County Jail isn’t a place I’d want to visit, particularly during the holidays. I’d rather see folks spending their money on gifts for their children or folks needing help, not bail, fines and court fees.
