Palm Harbor Woman Accused of Stealing School Supplies, Authorities Say

A Palm Harbor woman is accused of stealing more than $200 in school supplies from a Walmart on U.S. Highway 19 late Sunday, according to authorities.

Alia Ann Hecker, 41, of Orange Side Road in Palm Harbor, is one of two women that a Walmart loss prevention officer says took off on foot after being caught taking $262 in merchandise from Walmart, 35404 U.S. Highway 19 N., around 10 p.m. Sunday, Pinellas County Sheriff's arrest records report.

The loss prevention officer was able to recover the merchandise and a Pinellas County Sheriff's deputy was called to the scene. After being read her Miranda rights, she admitted that she intended to take the merchandise because she needed it for her daughter's school supplies, arrest records say.

Hecker is charged with felony petty theft because she has two prior retail theft convictions. She was released on $2,000 bond.