BEDFORD — A Bloomington woman was taken into custody late Monday night following a disorderly conduct incident at the Bedford Walmart that drew multiple police units and exposed alleged drug possession.
Christine Herbert, 44, listed as a transient out of Bloomington, was arrested by the Bedford Police Department on May 25, 2026. She faces multiple preliminary misdemeanor charges, including public intoxication and possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Bedford Police Officer Sarah Haluda, emergency dispatchers received a call from Walmart loss prevention personnel at approximately 10:40 p.m. Store employees initially suspected a female shopper inside the building had an active criminal trespass warning against her.
Upon arriving at the scene, Officer Haluda spoke with store employees who stated they had been tracking the woman for some time. Staff noted that her erratic behavior led them to believe she was heavily impaired.
As officers and store employees combed the aisles, Officer Haluda located the suspect—later identified as Herbert—in the cosmetics section after hearing her loudly yelling.
According to the affidavit, Herbert was pushing a shopping cart full of merchandise while carrying an assortment of personal belongings. When Officer Haluda made contact to explain that her behavior was disrupting the store, Herbert was reportedly incoherent and rambling rapidly, claiming she was about to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and discussing various family members.
Herbert was ordered to gather her personal items and was escorted to the front of the store, where her rapid rambling continued. When questioned by police, Herbert denied being under the influence of any narcotics, stating she had taken an Uber to the Bedford retail center with plans to either check into the nearby Super 8 Motel or travel to the Lothlorien Nature Preserve.
While at the front of the store, officers issued a criminal trespass warning barring Herbert from returning to the Bedford Walmart location. However, police noted she was too heavily impaired to sign the necessary paperwork.
A subsequent search of Herbert’s personal property uncovered a glass smoking pipe containing residue. A field test conducted on the pipe yielded a positive result for methamphetamine.
Herbert was placed under arrest and transported to the Lawrence County Jail for housing.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the probable cause affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
