COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Nearly $2,000 in merchandise was shoplifted from the Coldwater Walmart store this week the day after Christmas with a female suspect in custody while her alleged male partner in the crime is still being sought by authorities.
24-year old Heather Nordness of St. Joseph, Indiana was arraigned yesterday in Branch County District Court. She’s charged with retail fraud first degree, possession of a dangerous weapon, and resisting and obstructing a police officer.
According to Coldwater City Police, Nordness and the male suspect were passengers in a pickup truck that was stopped for an equipment violation on Willowbrook Road near US 12. After turning onto US 12, the pickup headed west about 5 blocks before pulling into a Citgo station where officers said Nordness and the man got out of the truck and fled on foot. The woman was arrested close by while the man, who is from Coldwater and known to police, managed to escape.
Officers say that in the pickup they found TV’s and children’s clothing with an estimated value of $1,800. They also say they found in the woman’s purse a pair of brass knuckles, which brought the dangerous weapon charge.
Officers report that the driver of the pickup, an Angola man, cooperated with police and won’t face charges after telling them he had waited for the couple outside the store and believed they had purchased the stolen items.
A $25,000 cash or surety bond was set for Nordness, who is scheduled to be back in court for a probable cause hearing January 4, 2018.
