Deputies: Motel Guest Stole Bike from Walmart

A bicycle and clothing are some of the items that Pinellas County Sheriff's deputies say Palm Harbor women recently took from local Walmarts.

Ashley Lynn Knoedler, 19, is accused of stealing a Schwinn bicycle from the Clearwater Walmart at 23106 U.S. 19 on July 21. It was about 5:17 p.m. when store surveillance cameras recorded her leaving the store without paying for the bike and taking it across the street to a Super 8 Motel, according to an arrest affidavit.

Deputies later arrested Knoedler, who was in one of the rooms at the motel. The bike, which was valued at $249.97, was not recovered. 

Knoedler was booked into the Pinellas County Jail on one count of retail theft. She was released after posting $150 bond.

Kristin M. Cooper, 28, of Palm Harbor, was arrested on July 28, at the Palm Harbor Walmart, which is located at the corner of U.S. 19 and Alderman Road.

Deputies say Cooper and Michael Malpede, 31, of Holiday, pushed a cart containing $247 worth of clothing, food and soda out of the Walmart around 12:26 p.m. They were stopped outside of the store. Cooper brought some of the clothing back to the store and but Malpede did not. Store staff asked Cooper and Malpede to stay at the Walmart, but they got into a vehicle and tried to leave, according to an arrest affidavit.

Cooper was charged with one count of retail theft and was released from the Pinellas County Jail after posting $150 bond.

Malpede was charged with one count of retail theft and was released from the Pinellas County Jail on his own recognizance.

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