No Theft Today… What About Three Days Ago?

received a June 12 call from employees about a possible theft in progress.

Officers arrived and found that nothing had been stolen.

But police did learn that the man had warrants out for his arrest and that he apparently stole more than $1,200 worth of merchandise from the store just three days before.

William Ray Bronson, 34, now faces felony theft charge and could get up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted.

According to the criminal complaint:

Walmart employees on June 12 called police after seeing two people staging items as if to leave without paying. Officers were also told that the man was a suspect in a June 9 theft from the store.

By the time officers arrived, the man had left without taking anything, but the woman remained inside. When she exited, police approached her and she said she left the items because she only had $15 on her. She also denied being at the store on June 9.

Police then located the man, identified him as Bronson, and found that he had warrants for his arrest in Dakota County. He was taken into custody.

Officers reviewed surveillence footage from the June 9 theft and determined it was Bronson on camera.

Bronson in the June 9 theft is alleged to have taken a blue and white Igloo 60 quart cooler with wheels, into which he placed:

• three Dremmel 4000 tools;
• an "Acuright" weather alert radio;
• a Braun series 7 electric razor;
• white "Select Series" bath towels; and
• a Cannon "Rebel" camera.

The then walked out of the store with the items in a cart. The total value of merchandise taken was $1,241.20.

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