Kohls Shoplifter Arrested, Wanted On Warrants

WARWICK, R.I. — Officer Aaron Steere was among officers called to the Kohl’s at 650 Bald Hill Road June 6 at 1:01 p.m. for a report of shoplifting, arresting a woman who was wanted on two warrants out of Newport and East Providence.

Steere spoke with the the loss prevention supervisor at the store, who told him the woman, later identified as Marnie Pimental, 43, of 123 Laurel St., Apt. 2nd, Fairhaven, MA, had placed perfume bottles in her purse, then two pairs of Nike sneakers.

After hiding the merchandise, which totaled $560, in her purse, Pimental left the store without paying for it, the loss prevention supervisor said, according to the report.  The supervisor intercepted the woman and escorted her back to the store.

Steere spoke with the woman, learning her identity. A background check on her via radio revealed she had two active warrants for her arrest. The first was a bench warrant for failing to appear in Second District Court on a shoplifting charge from the Newport Police Department. The second was from the East Providence Police Department, for possession of heroin and driving while in possession of a controlled substance.

Pimental was also carrying numerous used and unused hypodermic needles on her person, as well as a metal spoon with cotton balls and an unknown white substance the woman said might be heroin or fentanyl. A test of the substance later determined the white substance was neither heroin nor fentanyl.

In April, experts advised the public during a community forum that the purity of drugs, including heroin, could not be trusted, regardless of the source.