A Leesburg woman found herself in a bit of a bind after she allegedly tried to stretch the rules by stealing a bungee cord from the local Walmart.
Dedira L. Solomon, 26, was issued a Notice to Appear on a charge of retail theft following the sticky situation that unfolded on the morning of May 30 at the Walmart on Citrus Boulevard.
According to an incident report from the Leesburg Police Department, a loss prevention officer spotted Solomon wandering through the sporting goods section, where she selected a bungee cord valued at $12.43. But instead of tossing it in her cart, Solomon allegedly stuffed the stretchy tie-down straight into her pants pocket.
Solomon then proceeded to a register and paid for a separate item, but apparently decided the bungee cord was going to be a freebie. She attempted to bounce out through the garden center exit, passing all points of sale, before her plan snapped back in her face. Store security intercepted Solomon and escorted her to the asset protection office.
Because a criminal history check revealed she had no prior theft convictions, Solomon avoided taking a ride in the back of a squad car. Instead, officers issued her a misdemeanor Notice to Appear in court and slapped her with a permanent trespass warning, banning her from the store.
The stolen bungee cord was recovered and returned to the store’s inventory.
Solomon is due to answer to the charge in Lake County Court on the morning of June 17.