Year in prison for Walmart shoplifter

EPHRATA — A Kennewick woman was sentenced to just over a year in prison after pleading guilty in a case involving swapping price tags and concealing items at a Moses Lake Walmart where she had previously been trespassed, according to court records.

Victoria Lynne Salazar, 30, pleaded guilty to second-degree burglary, first-degree criminal trespass and two counts of third-degree theft. Salazar was sentenced to one year and one day in prison, but the date of the sentencing was obstructed in the record.

Officers went to the Moses Lake Walmart around 9 p.m. on Jan. 10 in response to a report of a theft in progress inside the store. Three people, including Salazar, were moved into the store’s loss prevention offices for an interview, during which it was determined that Salazar had swapped price tags for those of less-expensive items and concealed other items in a backpack, according to police records.

Salazar told officers that she needed money to buy food for her kids and had been told by the founder of a local street gang that, if she helped steal the items, he would loan her money. In total, police wrote that Salazar aided in stealing about $111 worth of merchandise, and a list of the items Salazar was asked to steal was also located inside the backpack.

Upon review, it was determined that Salazar had been previously trespassed from all Walmarts for 99 years. She was charged with second-degree burglary and third-degree theft, with a second count of third-degree theft and first-degree criminal trespass charges later added by prosecutors.