Coral Springs woman arrested for stealing groceries and clothing from Walmart claims mental illness caused her to forget to pay for the items
Coral Springs, Florida – A 69-year-old woman from Coral Springs was arrested earlier this month after allegedly stealing groceries and clothing from a local Walmart store. The incident, which occurred on May 8 at the Walmart on Coral Ridge Drive, led to charges of theft and the involvement of law enforcement. Alba Rios, the woman in question, was accused of taking merchandise totaling $186.44, which included items such as ribs, frozen fries, a 20-pound bag of rice, and other goods. Loss prevention staff at the store reportedly saw Rios concealing these items in plastic bags and her purse, before walking out without paying.
When police arrived at the scene, Rios was already detained in the store’s loss prevention office. After speaking with a Spanish-speaking officer, Rios explained to authorities that she suffers from schizophrenia, a condition that sometimes causes her to forget whether or not she has paid for items. According to the police report, she stated, “I don’t remember if I paid,” attributing the lapse in memory to her mental health struggles.
Rios was subsequently arrested and taken to the Broward County Jail, where she was later released after posting bond. The arrest comes after Rios reportedly had a history of theft-related arrests and convictions, both in Florida and New York. Despite this, her mental health concerns have been a focal point of the case, with Rios attributing her actions to the effects of her schizophrenia.
In a statement to authorities, Walmart made it clear that they intend to prosecute Rios for the theft, regardless of the circumstances surrounding the incident. The store’s loss prevention team, which played a key role in detaining Rios, was quick to inform the police, and the case is now moving forward in the legal system.
This incident raises important questions about the intersection of mental health issues and criminal justice, particularly when it comes to shoplifting. Rios’s situation highlights how conditions like schizophrenia can sometimes lead to behavior that may not be intentional but is still classified as criminal. It also brings attention to the challenges both individuals with mental health conditions and law enforcement officers face when dealing with such cases.
As the legal process continues, it is unclear what outcome Rios will face in the courts, but her mental health diagnosis will likely play a significant role in the proceedings. In the meantime, the case has drawn attention to the broader issue of how society responds to those with mental health conditions who may find themselves involved in the criminal justice system due to behaviors related to their illness.
The case remains under investigation, and Rios’s legal team has not yet made a public statement regarding the charges.
