What could have been a minor shoplifting incident at a Lake Wales Walmart Sunday quickly escalated to a woman being wanted for assault with a deadly weapon, grand theft and battery.
Police said Walmart employees stopped Doranda Jo Ussery of Avon Park as she was trying to exit the store with items she didn't pay for, according to a Lake Wales police news release.
Ussery was detained by the store's loss prevention workers and she pleaded with them to let her go because she was on probation and had two children, the news release states.
The items she's accused of trying to steal totaled $358.23.
While she was being detained, Ussery removed pepper spray from her purse and sprayed the workers, the news release states. The workers were able to take the pepper spray from her and Ussery then tried to attack them with a knife.
The suspect was able to escape to the parking lot where she entered the passenger side of a red Chevrolet Cruz. Police have not been able to locate her.
Police said Ussery has a past criminal record that includes burglary, grand theft auto, resisting an officer without violence, giving false identification to law enforcement, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Anyone with information on Ussery's whereabouts is urged to call Detective James Lewis at (863) 678-4223 extension 264 or Heartland Crime Stoppers at (800) 226-8477.
