Walmart Shoplifting Suspect Wields Knife and Pepper Spray

Lake Wales Police are looking for a 24-year-old Avon Park woman in connection with a Walmart shoplifting incident Sept. 29 that turned violent with her wielding pepper spray and a knife.

Police say the suspect, identified as Doranda Jo Ussery, paid $16.34 for items, then set off security alarms as she attempted to leave the store with more than $350 in merchandise, including sunglasses and a backpack she was wearing.

After Loss Prevention staff picked up dropped cards that helped identify the suspect, the woman returned to the store and asked that police not be called since she was on probation and had two children.

Before police were called, the woman removed a can of pepper spray from her purse and charged three Walmart employees, spraying into their faces. The incident was caught on video. According to the police report: "Loss Prevention was able to remove the pepper spray from Doranda's hand at which time she stated, 'I have a knife.' Doranda had armed herself with a knife that had a blade of three to four inches long. Doranda made a motion as if she were going to stab Loss Prevention and even raised it over their head. Loss Prevention believed they were in a fight for their life. The two associates were able to escape the room and block Doranda's swing of the knife while backing away."

The suspect fled into the parking lot, got into the passenger side of a red Chevrolet Cruz and left the area, before police arrived. Using the license plate number, Lake Wales police worked with law enforcement in Highlands County to locate the driver and vehicle.

They are still looking for Ussery, who they plan to charge with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, grand theft and battery. Police said her arrest history 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 having information on Ussery's whereabouts is asked to call Detective James Lewis at (863) 678-4223 extension 264 or Heartland Crime Stoppers at 800-226-8477.