PARAGOULD, Ark. — Two women were arrested in separate incidents for alleged shoplifting at Walmart in Paragould, but because of prior arrests, they now face felony charges.
According to the probable cause affidavit, on June 6, 2025, police responded to Walmart, 2802 W. Kingshighway, for the first theft report. There, they found Lacey Baker, 31, detained for allegedly being caught taking $159 worth of merchandise out of the store without paying for it. The merchandise was recovered, and Baker was placed into custody.
The affidavit says Baker has previous convictions for theft, which warrants a felony theft offense.
She was interviewed after being read her Miranda rights and, according to police, made incriminating statements.
Baker faces a felony theft of property charge, a Class D felony. Her bail was set at $10,000 with an ankle monitor, no-contact orders, and a ban from all Walmart locations.
In a separate incident, police responded on June 7 to the same Walmart for a shoplifting report involving Veronica Meredith, 48. Video surveillance reportedly showed Meredith pushing a cart of unpaid merchandise out of the store. Meredith was identified and arrested.
The affidavit states Meredith has a prior conviction for theft from 2018. During a Mirandaized interview, Meredith made self-incriminating statements.
Meredith also faces a felony charge of theft of property. Her bail was also set at $10,000 with an ankle monitor, no-contact orders, and a ban from all Walmart locations.
Class D Felony
A.C.A. § 5-36-103
5-36-103. Theft of property.
(a) A person commits theft of property if he or she knowingly:
(1) Takes or exercises unauthorized control over or makes an unauthorized transfer of an interest in the property of another person with the purpose of depriving the owner of the property; or
(2) Obtains the property of another person by deception or by threat with the purpose of depriving the owner of the property.
(b) Theft of property is a:
(3) Class D felony if:
(J) The value of the property is one thousand dollars ($1,000) or less and the person has been previously convicted of a theft offense of any classification within ten (10) years of the current offense
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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I’m sick of this crap. These young people are stealing stuff everywhere they don’t even need like make-up, lipstick, and hair products. Now they have ruined their lives over it. how stupid is that? Increase the penalty for shoplifting and put and end to it now, one way or another. Do we have to put people in prison for 10+ years mandatory for stealing? How about 40 years?? Do we need the military at Walmart? Because that may happen! Whatever it takes, it has to stop!