By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD – A woman with possible mental health issues was arrested for shoplifting July 10, after she allegedly identified herself as a mermaid as she knocked items off store shelves and left without paying for merchandise.
Krista Nicole Grisham, 39, was located at about 10:20 a.m. in front of a commercial building off U.S. Highway 70 just north of Walmart. She had several items of clothing in her purse with Walmart tags still attached.
Grisham initially attempted to walk away from the officer when she was approached by police and then claimed to have purchased the items but was not given a receipt.
The officer then spoke with a Walmart manager who said he had witnessed Grisham knock items off the shelf and stick clothing into her purse and walk out of the store. The total amount of clothing stolen came out to $36.81.
Grisham, who had just pleaded guilty July 2 to theft in another case, insisted she paid for the items. The officer noted that Grisham could not stay on topic for very long and frequently didn’t make any sense when she spoke.
The officer issued Grisham a citation for shoplifting and informed her that she was now trespassed from the store and if she went back she would be arrested.
