Accused shoplifter arrested after walking into Walmart during ‘Shop with a Cop’ event
24-year-old Sophia Malak (Hartford Police Department/Washington County Jail)
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- Shoplifting
- Walmart
- Retail theft
- Shop with a Cop
- Arrest
- Sophia Malak
- Hartford Wisconsin
- Police event
HARTFORD, Wis. (WKRC) — A woman accused of stealing hundreds of dollars from a Walmart was arrested after she returned to the store during a “Shop with a Cop” event.
According to WITI, 24-year-old Sophia Malak was placed under arrest after she entered the Walmart in Hartford, Wisconsin during the event.
A post from the Hartford Police Department states that the event, held on Saturday, December 6, had “the kind of holiday energy that could make even the Grinch crack a smile.”
At some point during the festivities, however, authorities said an “unexpected plot twist” occurred when a woman who had allegedly committed a felony-level retail theft just a few days earlier entered the store again.
WITI’s report states that Malak had allegedly stolen more than $600 worth of merchandise from the Walmart in question.
“Unfortunately for her, she walked straight into Walmart during the one time of year when the store is basically a satellite police station,” authorities wrote.
The post states that Malak was recognized immediately “with a few quick observations and a whole lot of ‘you’ve got to be kidding me.’”
After confronting Malak, police said they discovered more than $253 worth of items in her cart. The suspect reportedly told officers she was “just trying to get gifts for her kids,” before allegedly admitting to stealing and telling authorities she would have stolen again but “changed her mind” due to the number of officers in the store at the time, per WITI.
Citing prosecutors, WITI reported that law enforcement discovered approximately $900 worth of stolen toys in Malak’s vehicle. She is now facing a felony charge of retail theft.
Career shoplifter tries to rob Walmart during ‘shop with a cop’ event that brought over dozen uniformed officers into store
An obvious career shoplifter strolled into a Wisconsin Walmart she had robbed days prior, to find the store crawling with more than a dozen cops during an annual holiday event.
Sophia Malak, 24, was quickly arrested by the officers during the yearly “Shop with a Cop” charity event at the Hartford, Wis., store, the Hartford Police Department announced in a post last week.
Malak had allegedly stolen over $600 worth of merchandise just days prior and was found with a cart full of items.
“Unfortunately for her, she walked straight into Walmart during the one time of year when the store is basically a satellite police station,” wrote the Hartford Police Department in a Facebook post after the incident.
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“With a few quick observations and a whole lot of “you’ve got to be kidding me,” [the officers] confirmed who she was and took her into custody right there in the midst of Christmas cheer,” the department added.
In photos from inside the Walmart, Malak is seen dragging a loaded cart toward the exit.
When they approached her, cops noticed over $250 worth of merchandise in her cart and said she told them she was trying to get gifts for her kids, according to Fox News.166
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Eventually, Malak admitted she was planning on stealing the goods, but decided against it after seeing the number of police in the store, police said.
Cops later found over $900 worth of toys in Malak’s trunk, and she now faces felony retail theft charges, according to Fox.
“If you’re planning felony retail theft… maybe avoid the day when the building is basically 30% law enforcement and 70% wrapping paper,” read the Hartford Police Department’s post.
Shoplifter arrested at Walmart’s ‘Shop with a Cop’ event, leaving police stunned
By Chris Williams
Published December 4, 2024 10:08am PST
article
Police in Virginia taking part in “Shop With A Cop” at Walmart. (Credit: Chesterfield County Police)
The Brief
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- A suspected shoplifter tried to steal $1,400 worth of items during a “Shop With a Cop” event at a Virginia Walmart.
- Hector D. Velazquez Maldonado was caught by 50 officers after attempting to flee.
- Maldonado, with outstanding warrants, faces grand larceny charges.
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. – Police in Virginia have been left stunned after a suspected shoplifter decided to steal during a “Shop with a Cop” event at a local Walmart.
Chesterfield County police officers and sheriff’s deputies were at the annual holiday event at Walmart, where they help children pick out gifts.
Moments later, officers and deputies had to put aside their Christmas cheer to solve a crime.
“A member of the staff at Walmart came up to us and informed us they had a shoplifting in progress,” Chesterfield County Police Lt. James Lamb told CBS 6. “Between the sheriff’s department and police officers we had about 50 uniform personnel at the store.”
Law enforcement then spread out to quickly look for the suspect.
“As we approached from different directions, he tried to escape out the back of the store where he was apprehended,” Lamb added. “I think he was stunned.”
The suspect was caught and later identified as 32-year-old Hector D. Velazquez Maldonado, according to local news outlets. He had warrants out for his arrest for failure to appear in court on a previous shoplifting charge, as well as other charges.
Maldonado attempted to steal $1,400 worth of items from the store, according to police. He faces a charge of grand larceny.
Man caught on camera trying to shoot police officer in loss prevention room at Walmart
Default Mono Sans Mono Serif Sans Serif Comic Fancy Small CapsDefault X-Small Small Medium Large X-Large XX-LargeDefault Outline Dark Outline Light Outline Dark Bold Outline Light Bold Shadow Dark Shadow Light Shadow Dark Bold Shadow Light BoldDefault Black Silver Gray White Maroon Red Purple Fuchsia Green Lime Olive Yellow Navy Blue Teal Aqua OrangeDefault 100% 75% 50% 25% 0%Default Black Silver Gray White Maroon Red Purple Fuchsia Green Lime Olive Yellow Navy Blue Teal Aqua OrangeDefault 100% 75% 50% 25% 0%The officer was inside the loss prevention office when police said the man pulled out a handgun. (Source: WOIO)
By Cassandra Nist, Avery Williams, Aria Janel and Andrew McMunn
Published: Dec. 20, 2025 at 7:55 AM GMT+7
STARK COUNTY, Ohio (WOIO/Gray News) – A man in Ohio was charged Thursday after police said he stole several items from a Walmart shopping center and tried to shoot an officer in the head.
Canton Police said the officer responded around 1:45 p.m. to the Walmart on Atlantic Boulevard NE for suspected shoplifting.
The officer was inside the loss prevention office with 21-year-old Shane Newman and 23-year-old Katerina Jeffrey when police said Newman pulled out a handgun.
Police said Newman then attempted to shoot the officer, but the gun did not fire.
A Walmart protection associate jumped onto Newman before he could try to shoot the gun again.
Newman was then taken to the floor by the officer and arrested.
In body camera video, the officer can be heard explaining he did not want to shoot Newman because he did not want to risk hitting the Walmart employee that was on top of him.
“The safety and security of our customers and associates is always a top priority,” Jessie Carpenter, Walmart Asset Protection Operations Coach, said in a statement. “We’re proud of the brave action our asset protection associate took to maintain the safety of everyone in our store. We’ll continue to work with police as they investigate.”
Court records show the 21-year-old is charged with attempted murder, felonious assault on a police officer, robbery, drug possession and having a weapon under disability.
Police said Jeffrey is charged with complicity to commit a robbery.
Due to a previous felony conviction, Newman was not allowed to own or have a firearm, court records show.
After Newman’s arrest, officers said they recovered 50 blue pills identified as Molly, according to the records.
Newman and Jeffrey appeared in Canton Municipal court Friday. Newman was issued a $1 Million bond. Jeffrey was handed a $500,000 bond.
They are both expected back in Court on Dec. 23.
“This incident is a reminder of the ever-present threat of violence against police officers and the gracious provision of God’s protection,” Canton Police Chief John Gabbard said. “Thank you to all of you who regularly pray with me for our officers and our community.”
