Accused Shoplifter ID'd By Using Real ID

Police say a mother-daughter duo stole baby items from Walmart and then used their real driver's licenses as ID when they returned the stolen goods for store credit.

Toni Braaten, 22, of Racine, was charged Friday in Racine County Circuit Court with one count of midemeanor retail theft, repeater and one felony charge of bail jumping, repeater. If convicted of both charges, she faces up to six years, nine months in jail and/or up to $20,000 in fines. Because she is considered a repeat offender, Braaten could get extra jail time added to her sentence.

According to the criminal complaint, Mount Pleasant Police were called to Walmart, 3049 Oakes Road, at 2:25 p.m. Thursday for reports of retail theft. When officers arrived, they spoke with store security who said Braaten and her mother, Leslie Shilts, were observed on video walking to the infants section of the store and taking two items and placing them in plastic bags.

Officers say the women took the items to customer service and returned them for store credit in the amount of $81.28 which they then used to buy groceries for $61.81. They exited the store and drove away in a black pick-up truck.

Because Braaten and Shilts were required to show their driver's licenses to receive store credit for the baby items, police say they were able to locate both women at Shilts' Racine address. When questioned, officers report that Braaten and Shilts admitted their roles in the scam both at Schilts' home and again at MPPD, saying Braaten got the idea from her boyfriend.

Braaten remains at the Racine County Jail on a $750.00 cash bond. She will have her next Racine County court appearance on Feb. 6 before Court Commissioner Alice A. Rudebusch. She is also scheduled to appear in Sheboygan County Circuit Court on March 6 for a plea hearing stemming from charges filed in October for disorderly conduct and escape-criminal arrest.

Court records do not indicate any charges pending against Shilts.