A 31-year-old Ocala woman with prior theft convictions was arrested after she stole several packages of chicken from a local Walmart.
On Tuesday, June 21, at approximately 11 a.m., a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to the Walmart located at 9570 SW Highway 200 in reference to a previous theft that occurred in May.
Upon arrival, a store employee advised that a woman, later identified as Crista Marie Abbatiello, was observed on the store’s video surveillance at the time of the theft.
According to the MCSO report, Abbatiello was seen on the footage at approximately 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, May 25. She was holding two packages of thin-sliced chicken breasts, and she held a Kool-Aid packet underneath the packages.
While at the self-checkout register, Abbatiello only scanned the Kool-Aid packet, paid for it, and then left the store with the unpaid chicken. The MCSO report indicated that the total loss for the store was $64.40.
The deputy conducted an in-house search and was able to positively identify Abbatiello. A criminal history search was also conducted. The deputy learned that Abbatiello was previously convicted of theft in 2013 out of the Manchester Township Police Department and in 2014 out of the Brick Township Police Department.
On Saturday, June 25, the deputy was informed that Abbatiello was out-of-state. The deputy contacted her by phone, advised her of the theft case, and she stated that she would turn herself in when she returned home during the first week of July.
Abbatiello returned to Ocala on Monday, July 4, and she traveled to the Marion County Jail to turn herself in. The MCSO report indicated that she admitted that it was her on the store’s surveillance footage, and she stated that she stole the items because she did not have the money to pay for them.
Abbatiello was arrested, and she was later released from the jail on $4,000 bond. She is facing several felony charges for second degree petit theft (third or subsequent offense).
A court date has been scheduled on Tuesday, August 9 at 9 a.m., according to jail records.