A Eustis woman was arrested for theft after allegedly stealing $342 worth of merchandise from Walmart.
Officers responded to Walmart, located at 2501 Citrus Blvd., regarding a retail theft around 2:10 p.m. Saturday, according to an arrest report from the Leesburg Police Department. Loss prevention advised that 35-year-old Liana Maria Aline Reetz concealed items inside a shopping cart and a purse.
As soon as law enforcement arrived, they saw Reetz and two others just leaving the store. All three of them were detained and brought to the loss prevention office for further investigation, the report said.
An employee then explained he was reviewing video surveillance when he saw Reetz in the sporting goods department. She concealed $342.40 worth of merchandise in her shopping cart before leaving without paying. These items included a bubble pump, an 11-piece bed set, a six-pack of women’s thongs, a six-pack of men’s undershirts, a bait holder, fishing hooks and men’s shorts, the report said.
Reetz later stated she knew it was wrong and apologized for stealing. She expressed that she was going through financial hardship and felt she had no choice but to take the merchandise, the report said.
A subsequent check of her criminal history determined she had three prior theft convictions from Feb. 18, 2025, Jan. 22, 2024, and Aug. 16, 2011, the report said.
Reetz was arrested on charge of petit theft (two more or prior convictions). She was booked at Lake County Jail and released after posting $2,500 bond.
The native of Brazil was also arrested for theft at Publix on New Year’s Eve in Dec. 2023 and for shoplifting $1,348 in merchandise from Target in Nov. 2023.