A Winter Haven Walmart employee was arrested on June 1, 2024 and charged with 19 counts of petit theft. The woman arrested was identified as BAEZ Rivas, Tatiana H/F DOB: 10/16/1989. Below is the full affidavit regarding the incidents.
It should be noted that this is an unedited report of facts by Winter Haven Police Department. These facts are up for question and everyone is entitled to question the validity of facts by law enforcement in a court of law. Winter Haven Daily does not rewrite these facts as some meanings or interpretations could be in error and change context. We hope readers appreciate being able to read the information and come to your own conclusion.
“On June 1, 2024, at approximately 1302 hours, I responded to Walmart at 7450 Cypress Gardens Blvd SE, Winter Haven, Polk County, Florida, regarding a retail theft.
During my investigation of the above incident, BWC was utilized and worn. Upon the completion of this report, all footage was entered into Evidence.com.
Upon my arrival, I contacted Walmart’s Loss Prevention, which consisted of REDACTED and REDACTED. They informed me that they have been investigating the defendent (BAEZ Rivas, Tatiana H/F DOB: 10/16/1989). REDACTED and REDACTED stated that they had observed over 19 instances where the defendant underpaid or skipped scanning multiple items and then bypassed all points of sale.
I obtained REDACTED’s statement, he stated that on 05/20/2024, he was conducting research on the defendant, who is an employee of Walmart. REDACTED mentioned that during his investigation, he observed 11 out of 20 events in the last 60 days where the defendant had committed a series of thefts from Walmart. REDACTED stated that his investigation took place from 04/06/2024 to 05/24/2024, and during that time, he observed a total of 11 events on video footage.
EVENTS:
- 04/06/2024 total amount not paid for $71.65
- 04/08/2024 total amount not paid for $21.88
- 04/20/2024 total amount not paid for $29.98
- 04/24/2024 total amount not paid for $85.15
- 04/25/2024 total amount not paid for $14.98
- 05/03/2024 total amount not paid for $45.85
- 05/04/2024 total amount not paid for $138.28
- 05/06/2024 total amount not paid for $53.76
- 05/07/2024 total amount not paid for $194.64
- 05/10/2024 total amount not paid for $4.46
- 05/24/2024 total amount not paid for $53.48
Total amount of events 11, and total amount not paid for is $714.11
When I contacted REDACTED, he said that he had been investigating the defendant. REDACTED stated that he observed video footage of the defendant stealing from Walmart and witnessed the defendant taking multiple items without attempting to pay for them. REDACTED also mentioned that the defendant passed all points of sale during the series of events. REDACTED stated that the event he investigated took place from 04/11/2024 to 05/31/2024.
EVENTS:
- 04/11/2024 total amount not paid for is $11.96
- 04/13/2024 total amount not paid for is $65.57
- 04/14/2024 total amount not paid for is $12.73
- 04/15/2024 total amount not paid for is $6.17
- 04/16/2024 total amount not paid for is $41.43
- 04/19/2024 total amount not paid for is $10.90
- 05/28/2024 total amount not paid for is $53.94
- 05/31/2024 total amount not paid for is $145.13
Total amount of events 9, and the total amount not paid for is $347.78
I obtained a sworn record statement from REDACTED and REDACTED, which was submitted to axon.com.
Upon making contact with the defendant, who identified herself with a Florida Driver’s License. I read the defendant’s Miranda from my agency-issued Miranda Rights Card.
Post Miranda, the defendant stated that she is a single mother, and during the time she committed the series of transactions, she did not have the money to pay for the items.
I have carefully reviewed video footage of the incidents, and the witness statement is included alongside the video footage. Upon reviewing the video footage, it is evident that the defendant selected multiple items and placed them in shopping bags that she had with her. The bags were placed under the counter until the end of her shift. I saw the defendant select items to purchase before passing all points of sale with items that had been placed under the counter.
A query was obtained on the defendant through FCIC/NCIC, and the defendant had no prior history of theft.
The defendant is being charged with 19 counts of Petit theft.”
