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Oregon thief tries to steal from Walmart during toy drive attended by cops

The suspect was spotted by a deputy trying to leave the store with a rolling duffle bag full of stolen items.
Credit: Scott Olson
***File image*** A sign hangs outside Walmart store. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

PORTLAND, Ore. — A woman tried to steal several hundred dollars worth of merchandise from a Walmart during a toy drive attended by multiple deputies from the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, police said.

According to a probable-cause affidavit, 29-year-old Jamie Lutz of Gresham, was seen by a deputy trying to leave the store with a rolling duffle bag full of stolen items at around 10:45 a.m. on December 1. When the alarm went off, the deputy told Lutz to stop.

Lutz ignored the deputy and continued to pull the bag out of the store and into the parking lot. When the deputy grabbed her arm, Lutz pulled away and broke free from the officer. The deputy then pushed her to the ground and detained her, police said.

Jamie Lutz (photo: Multnomah County Sheriff's Office)

Police say Lutz confessed to stealing the items in the duffle bag and said she did it because she owed money to a drug dealer. She also said she stole a few items for herself and put those in her purse. She said she tried to get away from the deputy because she didn't want to go to jail.

The value of the stolen merchandise was more than $400, according to police.

Lutz has been booked into the Multnomah County Jail on faces charges of third-degree theft and resisting arrest.

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