On June 8th, 2023, Dunwoody police responded to a shoplifting in progress at a Walmart in Dunwoody, Georgia. What started as retail theft escalated into a felony drug discovery before anyone left the parking lot. >> Is that her right there? >> Mhm. So, yeah, that's her. >> Yeah, light-skinned female, uh about Looks like she has a black wig or black and blonde wig. She's wearing a camo-style jacket, white shirt, blue jean shorts, and white or cream-colored van-looking shoes. >> She probably If you go ahead and check out, you probably don't get her on two things. Yeah. Okay, so I think she about to put the tag on it, huh? So, she She took off She went over by pharmacy. She took off the tags off of some of the stuff. So, they usually do they just put it on there. I think that's what she's about to do for the rest of the lotion, I guess. >> Okay. Has she concealed anything or she just tags what? >> I think it's flat, too. >> All right, she has concealed all the merchandise in the black bag and she may be trying to uh swap tags on a few more items. Do you want to stand by over there? And she could step out. >> Yeah, that's what I figured. She won't get out. I don't think she'll get out of the car, too, huh? >> All right, y'all just stand tight. She may be walking out here in just a little bit. Not sure if she's working with anybody else. >> I know that they advise that you might have a friend with her, but they haven't seen her conceal anything. They're on their her >> I got her on camera though when they met up. >> Is this what you interested in? That's the grocery side. >> Mhm. >> All right, so you want me to check out there? All right, if you all just stay away from the doors. She's uh walking away from the >> That's the book bag right there. She don't have the book bag no more. >> Huh? She dropped it? >> there. She don't have the book book bag she had before. >> All right. White t-shirt, she's with him. Did she >> They came in here separately, so >> Oh, they did come in separately? >> Yeah, but then they met back and looked like sisters. They look alike. So, I'm not going to be able to tell if she's ticket switching. Um >> Okay, but you have her so much on the cameras. >> All right, do you want her stopped as well? >> No, because I don't have her on camera, so I can't stop her. She can come in if she want, but I I can't do anything. Can't press any charges. >> All right, so there's going to be another female with her. She's looking like she has a green or looks like some green capris and a cream white button-down. They do not have charges on her at this time. Yeah, it's she's acting as a lookout. >> Yeah, I don't I don't I honestly I saw them doing it. >> Okay, there she There she is. She has another card it looks like. >> That's the book bag right there. >> Yeah. >> Um Yeah, see? Right there. She put the bag >> Yeah, look at the merchandise, why don't you? >> The only reason I noticed her cuz she came in here looking around. She looked scared when she first started. I would have left her alone. And she's about to do it again with that. >> All right, the female with the camo jacket is currently uh swapping tickets at the register, not paying full price for merchandise. >> I think that girl looks like she is on something. >> I was I didn't want to say nothing, but I think so, too. >> There she go again. >> Yep. >> Units be advised, the other female with the cream shirt uh who is does not have charges if she does walk out with her. She's possibly on some type of based off of how she's acting. All right, we're going to go and stop both of them. >> Um, she can come in here? >> Yeah, we're just going to we're just going to CT her at least. There she goes. All right, units uh she has finished selecting merchandise. The female that's with her has has some of the merchandise. Looks like they're going to be splitting up. Just hang tight. >> Or she might come on this side on the mirror. Yep. >> All right, they are swapping sides. They're currently standing in front of the bathrooms heading towards the loss prevention side. Passing Subway now. Uh standby till I make it towards the exit. >> Is she over? >> Yeah, I got an officer there. Everett, just stay right there. >> She got a book bag. She got her book bag. >> You can detain both of them. Uh the one female is walking out with the book bag now. About to pass the receipts area. >> to the other girl when somebody come out. >> There you go. >> Stop. Come here. Come here. Come here. I'll take it back. You can let me go. See? >> Check on 30. Check on 30. >> I'm going to take this back to customer service. >> Yeah, she moved the stuff. >> I'm going to have to go to customer service and get this rung up. >> Okay. >> Cuz they just took it off. >> Okay. >> And then I'll let y'all check out before I pay for it. >> It's not my stuff. >> Okay. >> Sorry. I mean, I I got the receipt. Exactly what you said. I got the receipt. >> 2116, check on 30. >> Ma'am, where's Where's your receipt? >> in the back. The receipt should be in I don't know where I put it. Um it's either in the bag Yeah, or it's in the back of my pocket. But I rung up I mean, it's not what I It's not going to come out right. >> I already told her. >> Oh, we know it's not going to come out right. That's what cameras are for. >> Yeah. >> See, I'm confused. I had them ringing up in the trouble line. >> So, I don't know who's they >> She was the one. I don't know who could sell all this stuff in the bag. She was wanting to get that first. She was at the register using a different ticket to scan the prices. >> Skip scanning? >> Skip scanning. She She would have skip scanned. She had a price tag for something else that she was holding and then every single item that she was scanning. >> Which I it's all me. >> You say it's all you, but she was the one that was scanning she's the one who grabbed the merchandise and walked out with it. So, they're both Whose bag is that? How old are you? What's your cell phone? Do you have a phone number? 735 5506 Who's Jennifer? All right, we're going to call the ants so I can let them know what's going on. We can get them this little bag and all that stuff. What color is it? What color was the Honda Pilot? What color was it? Was it silver? What's her name? Hi Sarah. Are you Sarah? Hi. So, your friends made a stupid mistake. They're both going to jail, okay? Yeah. They're going to jail for shoplifting. Just want to give you a heads up on that. They're in there for stealing merchandise and skip scanning and stuff. Oh, great. Awesome. I know you were here just giving them a ride, but they wanted me to let you know that. Thank you. Okay. Yeah. All that stuff. We'll give you their cell phone so they don't to worry about the property and all that. So, just hang tight there. You got a baby in the car? >> Yeah. >> Um so, just hang tight over here. >> Thank you. >> And um >> I had a feeling they were doing something stupid. >> Yeah. So, just hang tight in your car and um I'll probably be down in just a little bit, okay? >> Okay. No. >> All right. I'm just going to search you to make sure you don't have anything on you. You want to stand up for me, ma'am, please? All right, just turn around and face the uh chair there. >> There's nothing to do. We can't like work for Walmart to like pay off our debt or like >> Work for Walmart? You think they want you to work here now? >> [laughter] [clears throat] >> I don't I think that >> Maybe try being a comedian. That was that was funny. >> So, are they looking to see what we took, what, right now? >> No, we saw I mean We saw everything be just stolen by her. She was skip scanning, but you left with all the stolen merchandise. Which you knew was stolen. >> I've never been to jail. I mean, that's not >> This will be your last time. >> So, it's not that bad? >> It's not bad. That's what she said. >> I was just funny. I was curious. >> Uh where do y'all live? Do y'all live in Decatur or >> We live in Stone Springs. >> Stone Springs? >> All right. >> Um so, typically how this works right now, we've got >> Sorry. >> Listen, we've got >> Sorry. >> We've got to figure out some things. Uh typically how this works is you're going to be going to the Cobb County Jail on a shoplifting charge. Depends on the amount. Um >> What's the amount? >> If it's over 500, it's felony. I don't think it's going to be over 500 though. Depends. >> Just gets candy, you know, it may be maybe close, we'll just see. >> So, let me ask you, how do you know these young ladies? >> Uh, well, Mariah I met through Jen, cuz Jen is her girlfriend. I've known her a couple years now, a little over two years. Jen I've known I guess it's been about four years now. She's >> baby. >> My baby? >> Yeah, she's your baby? >> Yeah, she's my baby, yeah. Uh, my ex-boyfriend Jason has known Jen for 20 years, so that's how I met Jen. Oh, that's cool. >> And are they are they do they do any type of narcotics? >> Um, not that I know of. >> Not that you know of? >> I got to do some pot. No, I know Jen does do some pot, but that's it. But she's in a conversation, so I don't think she's high. >> Uh, you'd be surprised. Um, >> Why? >> I suspect that one or both may be on something. And if they are, I'm wondering if they put something in your drink. >> Oh, what? >> Is there anything in your car we need to look at? >> This is Jen's. There I don't know what you're talking about. This is Jen's car. This is not my car. >> Jen's car? >> Yeah, it's Jen's car, yeah. >> So, why are you driving it? Cuz you were in the driver's seat. >> Yeah, because well, because I was in the passenger seat. I don't know what you're talking about. Can I turn around and back out? >> All right, fair enough. So, you would know if there would be anything in the car, right? So, if I you know if she smokes in the car or does any type of narcotics? Or have you been with her when she's done any of that? >> No, no. I don't think Jen would do any of that. You know what I mean? >> but she's never even in the car with me. Not even a cigarette, so. >> Kilo one to eight Mosman, can you step outside? So, this this is the brunette's car. That's what she >> she meant the blonde. >> The blonde. Okay. All right. I'm going to I'm going to get this vehicle towed from the actual She was in the driver's seat, but she's the owner in there. This is second degree. Want to watch Watch her real quick. Your car, right? >> Yes. >> Would you have a problem if we searched your car? >> Yes. Um well, I I don't Yes, cuz I don't know. >> Okay, well, I'm going to tell you what I'm going to do then, okay? I'm going to run my dog I I suspect that there might be some illegal use going on. So, I'm going to run my dog. I got a narcotic detection dog. Honesty is the best policy in this case. If I run my dog and he alerts and I find something, we're going to have problems. If you're honest about it, we can work it out. So, >> Um >> do you use narcotics? >> Yes. Um >> Do you use That's a yes or no question. >> I think I I I I think they might be prescribed in it. >> No, no, no. I'm talking about illegal narcotics. Now Now's the time to be honest. >> I don't think that there should be no narcotics in that part of your car now. >> Ma'am. Ma'am. Okay, so, do you do do you use uh methamphetamine? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. >> Honesty is the best policy here, right? So >> So, you use methamphetamine? >> Yes, I know. I'm not saying not. >> [clears throat] >> Okay, what is >> I've used I've used I've used >> You have you used in the car? >> No. >> Have you transported in the car? >> I might have a weed pen in there, but I don't think I have it in the car. But I'm pretty sure it's at the house. It's like we bought things at the gas station. >> Okay. So, no narcotics, cocaine, methamphetamine, PCP, heroin. >> No. >> And And you do not want me searching your car, right? >> Well, as far as I'm concerned, there's there's none in our car, sir. Um All right. All right. There is, but I'm sorry. >> Okay. >> Wait, where is it? Where is it? >> Where is your narcotics? >> It's in my bag. >> In your bag? >> Yes, sir. There's a It's in my bag. You'll see if you ever look for it. They're in my bags. Like what What's that like just like a big bag? >> What's in there? >> I got methamphetamine. Yes, sir. >> Okay. Okay. Oh, yeah. So Okay, so the blonde she she told me there should not be any in the vehicle. However, the brunette told me there is in the vehicle. And guess what? You put yourself in that. You, I'm not saying you will, but if if when when I search this vehicle, >> Okay. >> cuz you told me where it was at, >> Okay. >> where it should be, >> Uh-huh. >> you put your child in in that way. I'm just giving you food for thought. You put your child in this. >> What's in the bag? I checked the bag. >> Have you ever used meth? >> Yeah, but it was like in 2021. Mhm. Yeah, but like the majority of the year I lost my house, lost my car, lost my job. Yeah, so it's like not worth it anymore. >> Uh and and that right there? >> Yeah. Yeah. So it's like Been this been >> Do you have your own registration? No, I don't have two now. She may she have it, but I'll go ahead and do it just to be safe. >> Listen, he's he's going to run. >> I'm just going to I'm going to put my dog around the corner. >> Okay. Before he does it, do you have anything on your person? >> No, not at >> Go ahead and say it. >> No, not at all. Not at all. >> All right. >> Nothing. >> All right, what's up over here? >> Hey, buddy. Hey, buddy. Come here. All right. Shoot. SHOOT. SHOOT. HEY. GOOD BOY. HERE. YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT. YOU GOT >> Uh Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Oh, let's see what we got. Cotton swabs. >> Nothing. >> No, he he found it. >> Something that he found. >> Yeah. The uh the large baggy doesn't seal, so just be mindful of that one. >> But, this one? >> Yeah, it appears to be the same. >> Yeah, it's crystal. >> So. It appears to be the same. Clearly using the top bottles to >> Yeah. >> Do you know what this is, though? >> I'm about to ask him. I don't know. I wouldn't open it. >> I'm not >> Okay. This says poison. It might be. >> It's a little disgusting, though. >> Well, I want to go in there and ask. >> [music] >> Yeah. I got to put them in there to get the rest of the stuff. >> I still got a few things up there. >> That's the first time I've done that. >> What is it? >> It said over 500. >> It's veterinary stuff? >> I don't know. I still got a few more things to ring up, but Which ones Which ones did you ticket switch on so you make it easier for me to do? I know you you ticket switched on the book bag, um paint, and the um >> The paint and I think it I don't think I got nothing out of the paint on that thing. >> No, I got We got paint. You You took the paint. >> All right, whose whose car is it? >> It's not Well, no, it's registered with the DMV, so yeah. But >> So, the dog didn't hit the car. >> I mean, of course, cuz I told the cop, yeah, and I just said it was stairs. Yeah. Yeah, that's That's why I mean. >> except for the That's it. All right, so just I'm not sitting here trying to lecture you and make the situation any worse. There's a child in that car. And listen to me. >> Yeah, sorry. >> At any point that bag gets open and there's any type of powder in that and that powder gets in the air whoever doesn't do it is probably going to die just like that just from breathing it. All right? So, it's not responsible at all. One, drug responsible at all, but two, putting other people's lives at risk very irresponsible. All right? So, you you You'll be lucky if there's not a cruelty to children charge on you as well. That's just not smart at all. You know how bad that looks on you, right? >> I hear you trying to do something. All right. >> You don't You don't understand what what could be worse than that. >> Oh, okay, you're saying >> These people These people are slowly putting more doses of in stuff just to make it more potent so you keep coming back. >> Weed and meth? >> Everything. >> Are you serious? >> Everything besides about weed right now, at least in that form. >> Okay. All together? >> How much? >> Um subtotal 392, all together 420. >> About tax 392. Yo. >> I just dropped my ring. >> Okay. >> My ring will be a That's fine. >> That's what I was saying. Now we got 500 right there. >> Yeah. >> You can get 400 there. I mean, if you wanted it, you'd probably get it to you. >> Uh he has 400 there. >> What's the What's the liquid bottle and liquid? It's a little bottle. Is it acrylic for nails? >> Yeah, yeah. There's acetone for Yeah. If you look at my hands, I was trying to get some >> You just want to transport them together? >> Together. I know I had no idea that I know what drugs are, but I had no idea that like the other one cop told me about I mean, it's not but he told me that they're lacing it like if the vape could kill the I >> Okay. >> I am so sorry. >> You're going to >> I'm going to put this ring in your pocket, ma'am. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. So, they're going to be going to the DeKalb County Jail. >> Okay. >> Um I'm trying to figure out so the one with the She's obviously going to have felony charges for that. Um I'm trying to see if the other one that we're going to It's hard with this. So, typically with shoplifting, it's under $500, so it's a misdemeanor. Typically with that, we can run it through the city of Dunwoody. >> Okay. >> Um the issue is that one person's going to have state charges, the other person's going to have city charges. You can't really mix those. So, they're both going to >> Okay. >> have state misdemeanor shoplifting charges. >> Okay. >> Um >> So, they're both going to go to DeKalb? >> They're both going to DeKalb. Um they're not going to be able to bond out initially right now. The one with just the shoplifting charges >> O.R. bond out? She may get a signature bond. >> Maybe O.R. bond. It just depends. She's on probation, probably not. >> Okay. Okay. >> This alert Like this is no joke. This is This is their opportunity. This is their chance to turn their life completely around. And they don't restart it, you know? But it's something dumb with like little baby stuff. This is about my >> Mhm. >> Especially you don't want to be going out and looking at your dad dying, but especially when you're like >> Wait, do you need a wrapper or anything? >> We just talked about that. >> Do you need a wrapper or anything? >> No. >> All right. >> I'm going to change it all. So we're going to change tonight. >> I'll let you off the side. I'll go sign your name. >> I have to go sign your name? >> No, yeah, I got you. >> Georgia Code Section 16-8-14 defines shoplifting on three independent grounds: concealing merchandise, transferring price tags, or causing goods to pass without full payment. The suspect hit all three. Each act is a separate chargeable offense, not a single event, not one count. Loss prevention waited until the suspect cleared the last point of purchase. Intervening earlier opens the door to an unlawful detention claim under Terry versus Ohio. The second suspect was not charged, no direct observation of concealment. Detaining her anyway would have been a textbook Fourth Amendment violation. Merchandise total, roughly $392 below Georgia's $500 felony threshold. Both suspects were looking at misdemeanors. Then the officer approached the car. The driver was not under arrest. Miranda attaches to custodial interrogation, not a voluntary parking lot conversation. She chose to talk and disclosed narcotics were in the vehicle. The officer said, "If the dog alerts and I find something, we are going to have problems, but if you are honest, we can work it out." Under Schneckloth versus Bustamonte, voluntariness is judged by totality of circumstances. Implied consequences plus a promise to work things out, that is what suppression motions are built around. Her disclosure gave officers probable cause under the automobile exception from Carroll versus United States. The canine alert added a second independent basis. A canine sniff of a vehicle exterior is not a Fourth Amendment search under Illinois versus Caballes. The shoplifting detention was still active, so the timing was clean under Rodriguez. Officers found a crystalline substance consistent with methamphetamine. Under Georgia Code Section 16-13-30, felony possession requires no minimum quantity. One bag is enough. The officer flagged an unsealed bag as a potential fentanyl hazard. Airborne exposure is a documented risk. Treating unknown powders as contaminated is standard protocol now. A child was in that car. Georgia Code Section 16-12-1 applies when adults transport narcotics with a minor present. Live exposure the moment the drugs were found. The lead officer receives a B+ legally grounded detention sound canine deployment correct restraint on the second suspect. Deduction implying the dog would alert regardless gives defense something to argue. Jennifer receives a D3. Criminal acts felony narcotics child in the vehicle. Sarah receives a C+. Not involved in the theft, but she drove that car. Charges stack fast. Misdemeanor shoplifting two counts with ticket switching. Then a felony from the drugs, then a cruelty charge from the child. One decision inside the store, disclosing where the drugs are before any search, eliminates the only argument that might exclude the evidence. A voluntary statement on camera will not survive suppression. Silence was free. 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