Walmart's First Shoplifting Arrest Of 2026: Joliet Police Take Woman To The Ground In Parking Lot

JOLIET, IL —The Joliet Police Department has made its first felony shoplifting arrest to start the new year at the Walmart store at 2424 West Jefferson Street.

According to police spokesman Dwayne English, at 8:19 p.m. Jan. 4, officers responded to the Walmart for a retail theft. Upon arrival, the officers learned that a woman, later identified as Karen Ratliff, 32, of McHenry, was spotted by store loss prevention concealing merchandise.

Ratliff was then seen exiting the store without paying while pushing a shopping cart containing more than $300 worth of merchandise, English said.

An officer confronted Ratliff and ordered her to stop. Ratliff ignored the command and continued fleeing while pushing the cart, according to police. The officer caught up with Ratliff and attempted to take her into custody, at which point she resisted, English said.

Officers were ultimately required to take Ratliff to the ground before she could be placed into handcuffs, the arrest report indicated. Ratliff was processed at the Joliet Police Department and released on a notice to appear in court.