2 Utica women arrested after Walmart theft investigation | crime

UTICA, NY – North Utica Walmart was once again the scene of a theft investigation.

On the morning of May 6, Utica police responded to the scene following a report that loss prevention personnel were attempting to arrest two women who were bypassing all shopping locations with a shopping cart full of items.

When the women were confronted by employees in the parking lot, they fled to another store and abandoned the carts, UPD said in a news release.

When officers arrived, they made their way to the other store, “where they witnessed two females matching the description attempting to escape into a restroom area,” UPD stated.

“Officers then walked into the area and knocked, and after a few moments, both parties exited the room and were arrested,” the police statement continued.

The two women were then arrested.

Alycia Lee, 21, of Utica, and Ashley Rivera, 27, of Utica, were charged with grand theft because the value of the items stolen exceeded $1,050.