BEDFORD – A Mitchell woman was arrested Saturday afternoon after allegedly attempting to leave the Bedford Walmart without paying for nearly $1,000 worth of merchandise.
According to an affidavit for probable cause filed by Officer Stuart Ratcliff of the Bedford Police Department, he was dispatched to the Walmart store at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 27, 2025, about a female attempting to leave without paying for items.
Upon arrival, Officer Ratcliff met with a Walmart Asset Protection Associate and the suspect, identified as Tonya Feathers, 33, of Mitchell.
The asset protection associate informed Officer Ratcliff that she had observed Feathers walking through the store, placing items into reusable shopping bags without appearing to look at price tags. Feathers was then seen attempting to exit the store without paying at approximately 1:27 p.m., at which point Asset Protection stopped her.
Feathers was brought to the Asset Protection office, and the Bedford Police Department was contacted. The merchandise found in Feathers’ cart and shopping bags was then totaled at the customer service center, totaling $959.73 before tax.
Officer Ratcliff read Feathers her Miranda Warnings and questioned her about the incident. Feathers reportedly stated that she had just returned from Holiday World the day prior and “forgot to pay because she was tired.”
Walmart management requested that charges be filed for the theft and that Feathers be trespassed from the store property. Feathers was advised of the trespass notification and signed the corresponding form. She was then taken into custody and transported to the Bedford Police Department for processing before being 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.
