Bemidji Walmart Theft: Sandra Spears Charged Over $603

BEMIDJI, MN (trfnews.i234.me) – Sandra Lynette Spears, 50, of Brooklyn Center, faces a gross misdemeanor theft charge following a Walmart investigation in Bemidji.

According to a Beltrami County criminal complaint, Spears allegedly participated in repeated thefts at the store’s self-checkout registers.

Investigators reported that unpaid merchandise linked to Spears totaled $603.52.

The alleged incidents occurred between June 7 and August 20, 2026.

Walmart Reports Repeated Self-Checkout Theft

The investigation began after Walmart loss prevention personnel contacted Bemidji police on August 4, 2026.

Store officials reported concerns about repeated thefts and requested a police case number.

According to court documents, investigators later received 17 store reports connected to the investigation.

Police identified two individuals as Sandra Lynette Spears and Jermel Allen Spears.

The complaint alleges that the pair repeatedly used self-checkout registers without paying for every item.

Investigators reported that Jermel scanned merchandise while Sandra helped bag items.

Some merchandise allegedly left the store without being scanned or purchased.

Investigators Detail Several Shopping Trips

The first reported incident involving Sandra occurred June 7, 2026.

According to the complaint, unpaid merchandise from that visit totaled $38.70.

Another alleged incident occurred June 16, involving merchandise valued at $28.44.

Investigators also identified unpaid items worth $69.91 on June 17 and $60.22 on June 21.

Additional reports documented alleged losses throughout July and August.

One July 13 incident reportedly involved $72.57 in unpaid merchandise.

On August 2, investigators reported another $90.64 in merchandise allegedly taken without payment.

The complaint attributes 11 reported incidents to Sandra between June 7 and August 20.

The combined reported loss associated with those visits was $603.52.

Police Respond to August 20 Incident

On August 20, around 7:43 p.m., Bemidji police responded to Walmart following another reported shoplifting incident.

Officers identified Sandra and Jermel Spears as the two individuals involved.

According to the complaint, the pair allegedly placed unpaid merchandise into shopping bags at self-checkout.

The reported value of the merchandise was $128.95.

During questioning, Sandra reportedly told investigators she was “in shock.”

Jermel reportedly stated that he believed he had scanned all the merchandise.

Police included the incident among the store reports supporting the investigation.

Gross Misdemeanor Theft Charge Filed

Prosecutors charged Sandra Lynette Spears with one count of gross misdemeanor theft.

The charge falls under Minnesota Statute 609.52, subdivision 2(a)(1).

Prosecutors allege she participated in taking merchandise worth more than $500 but less than $1,000.

The complaint lists a maximum sentence of 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.

Any penalty would depend on a conviction and the court’s sentencing decision.

Beltrami County Court Proceedings

The amended complaint is filed under Beltrami County Court File No. 04-CR-26-2100.

The case includes a summons and is assigned to Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District.

The supplied complaint does not identify a scheduled hearing or final case outcome.

Readers can search public records through Minnesota Court Records Online.

The allegations remain unproven, and Spears is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.