Kaleiah Dwynette Murchison pleaded guilty to the Class C felony theft of property charge on Wednesday in district court in Minot.

Judge Richard Hagar also ordered her to pay $2,983.57 in restitution, according to court records, along with $1,100 in court costs. He sentenced her to a year in jail, with all that time suspended except for the two days she has already served, in addition to the probation. She was also ordered to stay away from the Kmart in Minot.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed with the court, Murchison stole approximately $2,983 in merchandise between Aug. 31 and Oct. 28, 2016. Murchison used “Your Way” rewards accounts belonging to three other women to purchase items for other customers. Murchison also allowed customers to leave the store without paying for some items, called “free bagging.” She also loaded gift cards fraudulently with refunds and then used the cards to purchase items at the store. Murchison admitted to the thefts, but told store security that she could not remember an exact amount. Stolen items included clothing, diapers, a television set and toys.

– Andrea Johnson

COMMENTS