A Texas woman was arrested for shoplifting and possession of methamphetamine on Sunday evening after Atoka Police responded to a call from Walmart.
According to a report by M.P.O. Peydon Griffith, dispatch received a call at approximately 6:58 PM from the Asset Protection Employee at Walmart regarding two females actively stealing merchandise. Upon arrival, the Asset Protection Employee informed M.P.O. Griffith that the two women had placed stolen items in the back of a black Jeep and had re-entered the store, proceeding to the service desk.
M.P.O. Griffith entered the store and, with the description provided, observed two females matching the description exiting. The officer stopped the women. Sergeant Cody Poe followed one of the females to the vehicle and retrieved bags containing the items. Both females were then escorted to the Asset Protection office.
During the investigation, the Asset Protection Employee reportedly observed that one of the females, identified as Sheila Bernal by a California driver's license, had switched barcodes from less expensive items and placed them on more expensive merchandise. This action allegedly caused one of the barcodes to tear, rendering the product unsellable and resulting in damage and a loss for Walmart.
Further investigation revealed that Bernal had been previously trespassed from a Walmart in Clinton, Missouri, on August 2, 2024.
The stolen items, valued at $40.63, included a dress, gel, Orajel, two pairs of leggings, and another set of clothing.
After being placed under arrest, Bernal was escorted outside, where she allegedly retrieved a glass pipe containing a burnt residue. A field test of the residue reportedly came back positive for methamphetamine.
Sheila Bernal was subsequently transported to the Atoka County Jail. The glass pipe was packaged and will be sent to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) for further chemical analysis.
