According to an amended Beltrami County criminal complaint, investigators reviewed multiple store reports covering June through August 2026.<\/p>\n
The complaint alleges Spears was involved in 16 incidents totaling $806.67 in unpaid merchandise.<\/p>\n
The reported thefts involved self-checkout registers at the Bemidji Walmart.<\/p>\n
Investigators Review Repeated Walmart Theft Reports<\/h2>\n
The investigation began after Walmart loss prevention staff contacted Bemidji police on August 4, 2026.<\/p>\n
Store staff reported concerns about repeated thefts and requested a police case number.<\/p>\n
On September 1, investigators received information about 17 store reports submitted for review.<\/p>\n
Police identified Jermel Spears and Sandra Lynette Spears, 50, as two people involved in the reported incidents.<\/p>\n
According to the complaint, the alleged thefts took place between June 7 and August 20.<\/p>\n
Investigators reported a pattern involving merchandise that was not scanned before leaving the store.<\/p>\n
Self-Checkout Transactions Detailed in Complaint<\/h2>\n
The complaint alleges Jermel Spears frequently scanned some items while leaving others unpaid.<\/p>\n
On several occasions, Sandra Spears allegedly helped place unpaid merchandise into Walmart shopping bags.<\/p>\n
The first reported incident occurred June 7, when store records identified $38.70 in unpaid merchandise.<\/p>\n
Another incident on June 17 involved merchandise valued at $69.91.<\/p>\n
On July 13, investigators reported an additional $72.57 in unpaid items.<\/p>\n
The largest reported incident occurred August 20, when the value of unpaid merchandise reached $128.95.<\/p>\n
The complaint also describes several occasions when Jermel Spears allegedly acted alone.<\/p>\n
Investigators used the store reports to document the alleged losses over the summer.<\/p>\n
Police Respond to August 20 Incident<\/h2>\n
Bemidji police responded to Walmart around 7:43 p.m. on August 20 following another shoplifting report.<\/p>\n
Officers identified Jermel and Sandra Spears during the investigation.<\/p>\n
According to the complaint, some merchandise had not been scanned at the self-checkout register.<\/p>\n
Police reported that Sandra Spears said she was shocked by the situation.<\/p>\n
Jermel Spears reportedly told officers he believed he had scanned every item.<\/p>\n
The reported unpaid merchandise from that incident totaled $128.95.<\/p>\n
Gross Misdemeanor Theft Charge Filed<\/h2>\n
Jermel Spears faces one gross misdemeanor theft charge under Minnesota Statute 609.52, subdivision 2(a)(1)<\/a>.<\/p>\n The complaint alleges he took merchandise valued at more than $500 but less than $1,000 without permission.<\/p>\n The charge carries a maximum sentence of 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.<\/p>\n The supplied complaint names Sandra Spears in the allegations but does not establish whether she was separately charged.<\/p>\n The amended complaint is filed under Beltrami County Court File No. 04-CR-26-2101.<\/p>\n The case is assigned to Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District, and the complaint includes a summons.<\/p>\n No future hearing date appears in the supplied documents.<\/p>\n Readers can search public case information through Minnesota Court Records Online<\/a>.<\/p>\n The allegations have not been proven in court. Jermel Spears is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.<\/p>\n I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\nBeltrami County Court Case<\/h2>\n
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