Soap Lake woman accused of burglary

EPHRATA - Grant County prosecutors charged Nichole M. Richardson, 31, of Soap Lake with second-degree burglary after she allegedly stole about $110 worth of merchandise from the Ephrata Walmart.

Richardson reportedly stole several bottles of alcohol, a gallon of milk and hygiene items from Walmart in December, according to court documents.

Police were at the Ephrata Walmart collecting evidence on another case when store employees reportedly showed them video surveillance of a theft that happened on New Year's Eve, according to records.

A female shopper, later identified as Richardson, is reportedly shown on the video placing bottles of alcohol and other items in a plastic storage container in her cart. According to court records, the video then shows Richardson push the cart out of the store without paying.

Richardson initially told police she didn't go to Walmart on New Year's Eve because she had been sick, according to court documents. She later reportedly told police she took the items because she had no money and was behind on bills.

According to an Ephrata Police Department report, the bottles of alcohol were later found in Richardson's refrigerator.