Five family members are accused of selling stolen goods at the local flea market.
Melinda Sue Walker, Kevin Howard Walker, Ruth Morton Walker, Clint Howard Walker and Savannah Shouck Walker were arrested Tuesday, March 11.
According to arrest warrants, family members conspired with each other and confidential informants to commit organized retail theft on 10 occasions.
Melinda Walker and her co-conspirators received $13,348.70 worth of stolen goods that belonged to CVS, Walgreens and Rite-Aid, according to the arrest warrant affidavit.
Walker, 43, and her family members are accused of receiving the stolen property between July and October then selling it at Barnyard Flea Market in Dallas.
Search warrants were executed last week at Walker’s house at 815 N. Oakland St. in Dallas. They were not available this week at the courthouse.
A slew of Gaston County Sheriff’s officers assisted Gastonia police in conducting the search. A rental truck sat in front of her home, half filled with boxes.
Melinda Walker was charged with receiving stolen property, obtain property by false pretense and two counts of larceny, all felonies.
She was taken to Gaston County Jail and released on a $25,000 secured bond.
Clint Walker, 45, lives at the same address as Melinda Walker and faces similar charges, according to arrest warrants.
He was jailed on a $20,000 secured bond.
Kevin Walker, 26, and Savannah Walker, 22, both of 811 N. Oakland St., were also charged.
Each was released on an unsecured bond.
Ruth Walker, 63, of 2327 Puetts Chapel Road, Bessemer City, was charged with receiving stolen property, obtain property by false pretense and three counts of larceny. She was also released on an unsecured bond.
Investigators have declined to comment about the charges, saying the case was still under investigation.
You can reach Diane Turbyfill at 704-869-1817 and twitter.com/GazetteDiane.