Father, daughter arrested in alleged theft from Walmart

PORT CLINTON - A father and daughter were arrested Sunday after being accused of stealing knives, shirts and candy from Walmart.

Steven Conner and his daughter, Heather Conner, both of Port Clinton, are accused of removing items from the packaging and putting them in their pockets and purse before attempting to leave without paying.

The manager of the Walmart on East Harbor Road in Portage Township called to report the alleged thefts in progress at about 7 p.m. Sunday, according to the police report. He told police he had seen the two previously commit thefts at his store, and this time saw the man, later identified as Steven Conner, open a pack of hunting knives and give them to the woman, Heather Conner, who put them in her purse.

The manager suggested police wait outside until the two tried to leave the store with the items. During that time, he said Heather Conner went into the restroom with merchandise. After she left, he reported finding several empty packages in the restroom.

More than two hours after the first call was made, the two proceeded to check out and paid for some grocery items. However, once they were past all points of sale, deputies with the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office escorted them to a security office.

During a patdown of Steven Conner, an officer said he found ear buds, coffee creamer and a T-shirt in his coat pockets, and knives, kitchen utensils, T-shirts and candy in his daughter's purse. When asked if he had paid for the items, Conner reportedly told police he had not. The total value of the items was $100.40.

Both signed a trespass form and were told they would be charged with trespassing if they returned to the store.

Deputy Curtis Cochran wrote in the report that Conner asked what would happen to the groceries that were paid for, and he informed him that someone would have to pick the items up, or otherwise they would be disposed of at the jail. Conner called his wife, and when she answered, he said: "We have a problem, we got caught," according to the report.

Cochran said that when Conner's wife arrived, he noted to her that Steven did not have to explain what he got caught for, indicating she was probably aware they were stealing. He said she stated, "Well, it's not the first time."

Steven and Heather Conner were then taken to the Ottawa County Detention Facility.

jstinchcom@gannett.com

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