On April 6, 2026, at approximately 6:50 P.M., Officers Keesey and Sherwood of the Austin Police Department were dispatched to Walmart located at 1000 18th Avenue NW in the City of Austin, County of Mower, regarding a theft in progress. Walmart loss prevention employees advised they were following a female, later identified as LELONDA HELENA ELMORE, DOB/092484, the defendant herein, inside the store and observed her taking merchandise from the shelves (such as tools, an air filter, candles, and essential oils), removing the items out of their original packaging, and concealing them in her purse and bags.
Officers Keesey and Sherwood arrived and met Asset Protection employee, Y. T. M. (an adult female). Y. T. M. Advised the officers that the defendant was in line at the checkout. Keesey went into the store and contacted the defendant. Officer Keesey observed the defendant to have four (4) pieces of merchandise visible in her cart. The defendant also had a black bag in the cart and a brown bag on the top seat portion of the shopping cart. Keesey observed that the bags were not completely zipped shut.
Inside the brown bag, Keesey observed a six-pack of candles still in its original packaging. Officer Keesey asked the defendant if she had removed any tags from any items and put them in her bag. The defendant stated that she had an air filter that she was going to ask about when she was checking out. Keesey observed what appeared to be an air filter inside the black bag. Officer Keesey asked the defendant if she had a driver’s license or identification card. The defendant stated that she had an EBT card and pointed to her wallet that was located on top of the merchandise in the unzipped brown bag.
Keesey retrieved the defendant’s wallet for her identification. When Keesey grabbed the wallet, he then observed a small plastic bag with a crystal-like white substance sticking out of a pocket. Based on Keesey’s training and experience he believed the substance to be methamphetamine. The substance later field tested positive for methamphetamine and weighed 1.0 gram. The defendant was placed under arrest. Officer Keesey read the defendant the Miranda warning and the defendant agreed to speak with the officer.
The defendant stated that she removed the tag from the air filter and was going to ask about the air filter when she got to the register. The defendant also stated that the methamphetamine was not hers and claimed she recently started using the wallet. During the search of the defendant’s bags, Officer Keesey located multiple items of Walmart merchandise. When Keesey pulled the items out, the defendant stated if she brought them in with her or if she selected them in the store. Keesey observed most of the merchandise was intact.
