Jon Johnson File Photo/Gila Herald
By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD – After being foiled by the police in her attempt to steal nearly $300 in DVDs hidden in a diaper bag, Katerina Salinas, 26, was jailed three days later following a scuffle she had with her father, Inez Salinas, 46, that was allegedly over getting money to purchase drugs.
Officers first encountered Katerina as she exited Walmart at 755 S. 20th Ave. on Thursday, Sept. 20, at about 6:20 p.m.
Katerina had already been trespassed from the store and an employee called authorities when she was spotted inside with a man, woman, and numerous small children.
After seeing the man leave the store with the children, the officer waited until he saw Katerina and the woman leave with a cart of bagged items.
The women had a receipt for the items in the cart, but as the officer informed Katerina that she was trespassed from the store he noticed the other woman was carrying a bulging diaper bag, which the woman insisted held diapers for her young children who were already in the vehicle with their father. Upon inspection, however, the bag did not contain any diapers at all but instead held $267.95 worth of stolen DVDs.
Katerina initially insisted she didn’t put the DVDs in the bag but then changed her tune and allegedly admitted to doing so and said she did it without the other woman’s knowledge. Katerina was then given a citation for shoplifting and trespassing and was released at the scene.
A few days later, on Sunday, Sept. 23, an officer was called to a residence on W. 16th Street regarding a fight. Upon arrival, the officer located Katerina and her father, Inez.
Katerina said they were arguing about money to buy drugs and Inez threw a pan at her, which hit her in her arm. Inez said he was arguing with Katerina because she wanted him to go with her into town to buy drugs and that she threw an object at him, which struck him on his hand. He admitted to throwing a decorative statue back at her. Both subjects had red marks where they said they had been struck.
Both Katerina and Inez were arrested and booked into the Graham County Adult Detention Facility on charges of assault and disorderly conduct.
