Shoplifter jailed after trying to run down security guard

A shoplifter who almost ran over Wal-Mart security as she fled the scene will serve a month behind bars.

‘Sounds like you’re going in the wrong direction,’ said General Sessions Judge Larry Ross in sentencing Heather Mullican, 29, to serve 31 days of a one-year sentence on charges of theft and reckless endangerment.

Mullican was arrested back in October after security personnel at Wal-Mart observed her concealing items and followed her to the parking lot where she was confronted. Stolen items found on Mullican’s person included a Black and Decker ratchet set, battery chargers, a shower head, children’s shoes and panties. The total cost of the merchandise was $326, a total which Mullican will be required to make restitution as part of her probation.

When confronted about the merchandise, Mullican reportedly began searching through her bag as if to find a receipt. However, when a Wal-Mart security officer called authorities, the suspect made a dash for her vehicle, closing the door and pulling from her parking spot.

The Wal-Mart employees who were nearby said they had to jump out of the way as Mullican drove out of the parking lot, first heading for the grocery side parking area to pick up an unidentified male before leaving the parking area.

While a tag number was written down by security, the woman was actually arrested when she returned to Wal-Mart to return items several days later. Items returned without a receipt are compensated by a gift card, not cash. It was as she was getting the gift card in exchange for the merchandise that she was recognized by security and police were called.

During her plea announcement Tuesday it was learned Mullican had failed to show up for her original court date, resulting in her being charged with contempt of court. Mullican revealed she could not be in court here because she was in jail in Lebanon where she was serving time on another shoplifting charge. Judge Ross gave Mullican an extra 24 hours to serve for failing to let the court know she was incarcerated at the time of her original court date.