Woman leaves Walmart in stolen shoes she swapped with her own

A Leesburg woman was arrested for theft after leaving Walmart with a swapped pair of stolen shoes. 

Police responded to Walmart, located at 2501 Citrus Boulevard, in reference to retail theft at about 8:07 p.m. Sunday, according to an arrest report from the Leesburg Police Department.  

One of the store’s loss prevention associates pointed out a woman matching the description of 57-year-old Stephanie Lynn Bray to the officer. The associate advised that she hid merchandise in her bag and was wearing socks and shoes that belonged to the business, the report said. 

The officer was standing next to the exit when Bray walked past him toward the parking lot, passing all points of sale. She was stopped by the officer and associate before being escorted to the loss prevention security office, the report said. 

The associate further advised that she followed Bray through the store while she consumed food and drink without paying for them. She walked to the shoe department and took off her shoes and socks. She proceeded to replace her shoes with a new identical pair and her socks with a new black set. Other items were concealed inside her black purse and a large tie-die bag, the report said.  

Bray then walked to a self-check-out register and bought several items she placed in a grocery basket. She made no attempt to scan or pay for the concealed merchandise in her bags or anything she previously consumed. These items totaled $127.70, the report said. 

A check revealed Bray had one prior conviction for retail theft in August 2012 out of Lake County, the report said. 

The Pennsylvania native was subsequently arrested and charged with retail theft (one prior conviction). She was transported to the Lake County Jail with bond set at $1,000.