At 12:36 p.m. Sunday, a Merrill store reported two females who had attempted to leave the store with two shopping carts full of merchandise. Store security had detained them for a short time but the duo then left the store in a different vehicle than they had arrived in.
A short time later, a different female arrived to remove the vehicle the two suspects had arrived in the store in. As Merrill Police officers investigated the incident throughout the day, the female who had arrived to remove the vehicle was arrested for obstructing an officer after she lied to officers about the incident. A second female also is facing obstructing charges for lying to officers about the investigation.
Both of the thieves have been identified. One was found to be in possession of another person’s credit card and other personal identifying information. She is being investigated for possible identity theft in addition to the shoplifting charge. The other suspect faces shoplifting charges at this time. Further investigation is pending, according to Merrill police.