Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Shirley Ann Williams, 67, was arrested yesterday for allegedly stealing items worth $400 from Walmart, with the intention of selling them at half price to pay her bills.

At about 1:01 p.m. on September 22, a Gainesville Police Department officer responded to the northeast Walmart (1800 NE 12th Avenue), where Williams allegedly selected 24 items worth $401.22 and passed all points of sale without paying for them. She was detained by a Loss Prevention Officer and escorted to his office.

Post Miranda, Williams reportedly said people from the streets pay her to go to Walmart and steal for them, but she was unable to provide their names because she does not know them. She reportedly told the officer she remembers the items people ask for, then she goes to the store and steals the items, and then she sells them for half price to pay her bills.

Williams has been charged with petit theft with two or more previous convictions, a felony. She has 13 felony convictions (non-violent) and 18 misdemeanor convictions (non-violent), and she is facing another shoplifting charge from July; she has served one state prison sentence and was released in 1994. Judge Sheree Lancaster ordered her released on her own recognizance.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.