Berks woman arrested in connection with $1,000 theft at Exeter Walmart

A woman from St. Lawrence was arrested after Exeter Township police say she tried to shoplift more than $1,000 worth of merchandise at the Walmart at 5900 Perkiomen Ave.

Samantha Dalton, 28, of the first block of Brumbach Street was apprehended Saturday around 6:30 p.m. as she tried to leave the store through a side exit in the automotive department.

According to court records:

A Walmart security officer observed a woman later identified as Dalton placing high-value merchandise in a cart. Suspecting that a retail theft was about to occur, the office began surveillance of Dalton, observing her pass through all the outlets as she made her way to the front exits, which had either been closed or blocked off by staff the store.

Store staff alerted Exeter police and Dalton was charged with felony retail theft.

She was released pending an arraignment hearing before District Judge Steven Chiefo in Reading Central Court.

Court records indicate Dalton was also charged by Exeter police with a felony count of retail theft that occurred on Oct. 17. The charge was filed on October 31, two days before Saturday’s incident, but she has yet to be arraigned on the earlier charge.