BEDFORD — A Bedford woman was cited for theft after store security caught her failing to scan nearly $180 worth of merchandise at a local self-checkout register.
Megan Owen, 30, of Bedford, was issued a court summons charging her with theft under $750, a Class A misdemeanor.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Bedford Police Officer Joshua Turner, police were dispatched to the Walmart at 3200 John Williams Boulevard around 11:04 p.m. on Sept. 18, 2026, following a report of a shoplifter detained by Asset Protection (AP).
Walmart AP staff observed Owen at a self-checkout register around 10:41 p.m. video monitoring revealed that Owen intentionally bypassed scanning several items in her shopping cart before attempting to exit the store without paying for them. The total value of the unscanned merchandise was $177.35.
After being advised of her Miranda rights, Owen agreed to speak with law enforcement. She admitted to intentionally skipping items at the scanner, telling the officer that she was struggling financially.
Officers reviewed store surveillance footage, photos, and an itemized receipt provided by Walmart AP, confirming that the recorded footage matched the events described by security personnel.
Owen signed a formal trespass notification barring her from returning to Walmart property. She was cited into Lawrence County Superior Court I and is scheduled to appear on Oct. 6, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
Under Indiana law, criminal charges are merely accusations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
