LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – Just when it appeared that a man and a woman had gotten away with stealing multiple items from Food City on Wednesday afternoon, the duo returned to the store on Thursday attempting a repeat performance. It didn’t take long for officers with the La Follette Police Department to find the duo and make arrests.

Food City officials alerted LPD on Wednesday, just before 4pm, to what was taking place in the store though the duo was able to get-a-way before Officer Melisa Phillips arrived. According to the store’s assistant manager, the man and woman were seen on video surveillance shoving at least 19 “pop” toys worth $9.99 each inside their personal bag. Additionally, the pair was seen scanning some food items while walking out not scanning two-24 packs of water worth $3.29 each, the LPD report said.

At 1pm Thursday La Follette Police were again notified of the same man and woman being in the Food City. LPD Sergeant Noah Riggs responded to the call and watched surveillance video of the couple back in action allegedly concealing more “pop” toys. The suspects soon realized that this time, Food City employees were watching them, and they went to return the “pop” toys.

Riggs tracked the couple down to a home at 205 Haven Lane, in the Valley View community. Riggs and Phillips placed 51-year-old Walter Joseph Reimer and 55-year-old Robin Marie Lafountain, both of 205 Haven Lane, under arrest.

Reimer and Lafountain told the sergeant the Food City merchandise had been thrown into the woods because of them getting scared of being arrested for the thefts, the report said. Riggs recovered 34 of the stolen “pop” toys valued at a total of $373.

Reimer and Lafountain are facing the same charges, two counts of theft of property conduct involving merchandise. Both are out of jail awaiting a June 21 court date, according to records at the Campbell County Jail. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 05/31/2022-6AM)