WHITERIVER, AZ (AZFamily) — An eastern Arizona police officer is on the other side of the law after an on-duty incident on Monday.
Melissa Ward, an officer with the White Mountain Apache Police Department, was taken into custody for allegedly shoplifting at a Show Low store.
According to the Show Low Police Department, officers were called to investigate a shoplifting at a Walmart off of White Mountain Boulevard. Authorities say Ward, 37, grabbed multiple items and hid them in a black tote. She reportedly went to self-checkout, paid only for the black tote, but didn’t scan or pay for any other items inside.
A loss prevention staff member followed her through the store and witnessed her hide all the items and not pay for them. The staff member also provided surveillance video to police.