A Walmart shoplifting suspect abandoned her teenage daughter and a friend of the daughter's at the store after failing at an attempt to steal items Tuesday night, police said.
Beth Dickerson, of West Alexandria, identified by police as the suspect, is well known to police because she's already banned from the store in the 100 block of Washington Jackson Road, Eaton Police Officer Tom Smith said.
Police were dispatched at about 7:25 p.m. after loss prevention officers called police. One of the officers stopped Dickerson right outside the front door when she tried to leave with a "cart full of miscellaneous items," Smith said.
She had two of her younger children with her, younger than 10 years old, after having the older daughter and her friend went off on their own in the store.
Dickerson and the younger children eluded capture, got into a waiting vehicle driven by a male friend, and escaped -- without the merchandise.
Her teenage daughter and friend were picked up at the store by a relative, Smith said.
"A combination of the shoplifting and knowing she is not permitted on the property here probably contributed to the reason she fled the scene," Smith said.
When police catch up with Dickerson, she'll be charged with theft, child endangerment and criminal trespass, the officer said.
Smith called the situation unfortunate for the teenagers who were abandoned.
"It's a very sad time for the children," he said, alluding to it being Christmas Eve. "This is supposed to be a time of happiness."
