State Police say more than $1,000 in merchandise was taken from a Potsdam Walmart before an arrest warrant was issued.
A Fort Covington woman has been arrested after New York State Police investigated a reported theft of more than $1,000 in merchandise from a Walmart in Potsdam. State Police said Karina I. David, 35, was taken into custody Sept. 21 after a warrant was issued in connection with the Sept. 10 incident.
The arrest followed a larceny complaint at the Walmart on U.S. Highway 11 in the town of Potsdam. According to the State Police release, troopers were called to the store at about 3:02 p.m. on Sept. 10.
What State Police say happened
Investigators said a woman entered the store and took merchandise valued at $1,081.83. The State Police release said she allegedly went “passing all points of purchase without paying” and left before troopers arrived.
Police identified the suspect as David, a resident of Fort Covington. State Police said they contacted Potsdam Town Court and requested an arrest warrant after the investigation. The warrant was later issued.
The release does not identify what merchandise was involved or explain how investigators identified David as the suspect. It also does not describe any surveillance video, witness statements or other evidence that may have been gathered during the investigation.
Arrest made after warrant was issued
State Police said David was located and arrested on Sept. 21. She was transported to the State Police barracks in Canton for processing.
Authorities charged her with:
- Burglary in the third degree
- Grand larceny in the fourth degree
David was arraigned on the arrest warrant in Potsdam Town Court. State Police said she was remanded to the St. Lawrence County Jail in lieu of $5,000 bail.
The release does not provide a future court date. It also does not say whether David was represented by an attorney at the arraignment.
What the charges mean under New York law
Grand larceny in the fourth degree
Grand larceny in the fourth degree is a felony theft charge that can apply in New York when stolen property is valued at more than $1,000. Under New York Penal Law Section 155.30, the offense is classified as a Class E felony.
That $1,000 threshold is directly relevant to the value cited by State Police in this case. Police said the merchandise was valued at $1,081.83, which is $81.83 above the statutory threshold.
New York law lists several other circumstances that can also support a fourth-degree grand larceny charge, regardless of value in some situations. In this case, however, the public release points to the value of the merchandise as a central fact.
Burglary in the third degree
New York Penal Law Section 140.20 defines third-degree burglary as knowingly entering or remaining unlawfully in a building with the intent to commit a crime there. The offense is a Class D felony.
The State Police release does not explain the specific factual basis for the burglary count. In retail cases, a burglary allegation can involve facts beyond the value of merchandise, including whether a person was lawfully allowed to be in the building at the time. Because those facts were not included in the release, it would be improper to assume why the charge was filed.
Why the $1,000 figure matters
For readers following a retail-theft case, the value of the property can affect the level of the charge. New York law separates petit larceny from several levels of grand larceny, with different thresholds and circumstances set out in the Penal Law.
In this case, State Police reported a value of $1,081.83. That figure places the alleged theft above the $1,000 level specified in Penal Law Section 155.30 for fourth-degree grand larceny.
That does not by itself determine guilt. Prosecutors must still prove the required elements of the charged offenses in court. The value of the property, the circumstances of the alleged taking and the facts surrounding entry into the store can all be part of the legal case.
The investigation timeline
- Sept. 10, about 3:02 p.m.: Troopers respond to the Walmart on U.S. Highway 11 in Potsdam for a reported larceny.
- After the complaint: State Police identify David as the suspect and request an arrest warrant from Potsdam Town Court.
- Sept. 21: David is located, arrested and taken to SP Canton for processing.
- After processing: She is arraigned in Potsdam Town Court and remanded to the St. Lawrence County Jail in lieu of $5,000 bail, according to State Police.
- Sept. 22: New York State Police issue the public news release describing the arrest.
What remains unclear
The public release gives only a limited account of the investigation. It does not identify the items allegedly taken, describe the evidence used to obtain the warrant, or explain the circumstances supporting the burglary count.
It also does not say whether any of the merchandise was recovered. No information was included about a plea, indictment or final disposition because the case remains at an early stage.
Those details may emerge later through court filings, hearings or future law-enforcement updates.
Charges are allegations
An arrest is not a finding of guilt. Criminal charges are allegations, and David is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
The case was announced Sept. 22 by New York State Police Troop B. Trooper Brandi M. Ashley was listed as the public information officer for the release.
Sources: New York State Police; New York Penal Law §155.30; New York Penal Law §140.20.
