From Chief P.K. Johnson
Millbrook Police Department
On Sunday, August 25, 2024, Millbrook police responded to Walmart, at 145 Kelley Blvd. regarding a report of a theft in progress. Upon arrival, officers were advised that an individual, later identified as Laura Brown, a 48-year-old Prattville resident, entered the business and proceeded to fill a shopping cart with assorted merchandise. Upon completing her selections, the alleged offender proceeded through the self-checkout kiosk, where she scanned some, but not all, of the items contained in her shopping cart. Upon checking the individual’s receipt, it was discovered that she failed to make payment for merchandise valued in excess of $500.00. Brown was placed under arrest, being charged with Theft of Property 3rd Degree. Brown was transported to the Millbrook Police Department, where she was processed and later transported to the Elmore County Jail.
It never ceases to amaze me at the number of people that will enter a business, thinking that they can fill up a shopping cart and walk out of the business without paying for those items. We live in the age of technology. Practically every business that you frequent these days has equipped themselves with the latest in surveillance equipment. While it’s a shame that they find it necessary to do so, it’s become necessary for the businesses to protect themselves from prospective customers stealing from the business, as well as to protect themselves from internal theft, which also occurs. Unfortunately, we see incidents like this occur all too often, with similar results.
Most businesses employ loss prevention staff, who are equipped with the technology that enables them to monitor patrons and employees throughout the store. Even if you are fortunate enough to make it out of the business without being detected or apprehended, there is a strong possibility, in most cases probability, that they’ll be able to detect your criminal activity after the fact and identify you later, pursuing your prosecution at that time. No matter how many times we tell folks theft is not tolerated in our city, they continue to roll the dice, and we continue to respond to these complaints with similar results. For those that continue to persist in committing these property crimes, they can anticipate accommodation at the Elmore County Jail and a date in the appropriate court.
