Lake Elsinore Woman Arrested In Heist Involving Children

A Lake Elsinore woman is behind bars for allegedly conspiring with children to pull off a strong arm robbery at Walmart Wednesday night.

Brandi Williams, 22, was arrested at 39 Vista Toscana sometime after 10 p.m. for strong arm robbery and conspiracy after she was fingered in a heist involving juveniles at the Lake Elsinore Walmart store.

Lake Elsinore police were called to the Walmart on Grape Street around 9:41 p.m. after a store loss prevention officer allegedly caught three juveniles shoplifting. The officer tried to detain the three, but they made a break for the front door, according to a report from Riverside County Sheriff’s Sgt. John Carlberg.

A 2004 white Mercury pulled up to the store’s entrance and a woman later identified as Williams got out and tussled with the Walmart officer, Sgt. Carlberg stated in the report. The kids jumped into the vehicle and Williams drove off with them.

Using the vehicle license plate number obtained by the loss prevention officer, the Mercury was traced to the Vista Toscana address. At the home, deputies from the Lake Elsinore Police Department found the stolen goods along with Williams and the three juveniles, according to the sergeant.

The juveniles were arrested for shoplifting and conspiracy and later released to the custody of their grandfather.

Williams is being held on $45,000 bail at the Robert Presley Detention Center. She is due in court tomorrow. In addition to charges of strong arm robbery and conspiracy, she is also scheduled to be arraigned for willful child cruelty.

Annette Tusan, the Mercury’s registered owner, was also located at the Vista Toscana residence. She was arrested for obstruction of justice, but was released after receiving a citation.