Shoplifter claims security officer was trying to “hollar” at her
Ocala FL October 11 2023
Catherine Eaves, an Orlando-area resident, was arrested Thursday after allegedly leaving a Walmart without paying. She claimed the security guard was trying to “holler” at her.
Eaves, 34, was arrested and charged with petit retail theft at an Ocala Walmart location, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office reported.
The asset protection specialist at Walmart told deputies the suspect departed without paying for her items and declined to come back to settle the bill, as reported by FOX35 Orlando.
Store surveillance captured the suspect browsing for close to three hours before leaving through the tire center. As she moved towards the exit, the asset protection specialist seemed to repeatedly attempt to get her to come back inside. According to the affidavit obtained by the news outlet, Eaves yelled back at the security guard and then walked off.
After her arrest, Eaves shared with officers that the security guard had spoken to her, but “she thought he was trying to ‘holler.'” Feeling intimidated, she decided to run off, as detailed in the affidavit.
The affidavit also mentioned Eaves explaining the absence of cashiers in the tire center, which is why she exited there. When questioned about not using a different register to pay, she “wasn’t able to give a valid answer,” officers recounted.
The items she left with included hair color kits, drill batteries, shampoo, and more, with a total exceeding $160, according to law enforcement.
Eaves was later taken to the Marion County Jail but has since been released on recognizance, arrest records indicate.
