woman violated breached her probation after being caught stealing about $240 in merchandise at Lowe’s in Trailwinds Village.
At 1 p.m. Tuesday, an officer responded to Lowe’s for a retail theft, according to a Wildwood Police Department arrest record. When he arrived, he spoke with an asset protection manager, who indicated that 39-year-old Floral City resident April Michele Weeks attempted to take various goods. She had previously attempted to steal from the shop and other Lowe’s locations in the nearby counties.
The manager claimed that at 12:45 p.m., they saw Weeks stroll through the store and choose three 24-packs of AAA Copper Top Alkaline batteries, three 24-packs of AA Copper Top Alkaline batteries, a 20 oz. Coca-Cola, and two portable 12-volt air inflators, all valued at approximately $240. According to the allegation, Weeks concealed one of the air inflators in a bag and used it to cover the remainder of the merchandise.
Weeks exited the garden center about 10 minutes later, with the merchandise still disguised in and under her bag, after passing all points of sale without paying. The manager approached her, identified them, and returned the merchandise. According to the report, she returned to the business and signed a statement of facts, admitting to the crime.