Go Big or Go Home for Accused Walmart Shoplifters?

Four Milwaukee women are facing felony retail theft charges because police say they stole 271 items worth more than $1,764 from Walmart.

Lashena Blake, 22; Dashiona Hogan, 23; Teneshia Vaughner, 25; and Phyana Thompson, 23, were charged Tuesday in Racine County Circuit Court with a single count each of felony retail theft. If convicted, they face up to three years, six months in jail and/or up to $10,000 in fines.

Thompson was also charged with misdemeanor battery because security staff at Walmart told police that she tried to choke him on her way out of the store, the complaint reads.

According to the criminal complaint, Mount Pleasant police were called to Walmart for a report of a retail theft. Store security told officers they observed the four defendants on May 27 filling two shopping carts with a variety of items from different departments throughout the store. At one point, they even went to the front of the store to get a third cart.

Once they were loaded up, the defendants produced Walmart shopping bags from their jackets or purses and bagged the items in the carts. Police say the women pushed the carts past the cash registers and were headed for the door when store security attempted to stop them.

It was at this point that Thompson let go of her cart and choked one of the security staffers in her attempt to move him out of the way, the complaint reads. 

When the defendants spotted police, they attempted to flee north into the parking lot but were detained by officers.

All told, the defendants tried to get away with 271 items worth more than $1,764.

Court Commissioner Alice Rudebusch assigned $1,000 signature bonds for all four women, but also gave Thompson a $250 cash bond on the battery charge. They will next be in court on June 12 for preliminary hearings.