A girlfriend and boyfriend team were arrested for allegedly participating in a scheme in which they attempted to fraud the returns department at Walmart by exchanging a stolen item, according to reports at the Clinton Police Department.

Clinton police Cpl. Edgar Carter responded shortly after 8:30 p.m. Wednesday to a report of stolen property being refunded at Walmart. A male driver, who was waiting in a car in the parking lot, was detained and moments later a woman described as his girlfriend was also detained at the store’s customer service desk.

The two were ultimately transported to the Police Department and served with charges.

Tiqusha Marie Mont Phillips, 21, of 75 Crystal Lane, Autryville, was charged with obtaining property by false pretenses and failure to appear on charges of driving while license revoked and seat belt violation. Okechukwa Ike Ehiogo, 23, of 4331 Fox Grove Circle, Fayetteville, was charged with obtaining property by false pretenses and misdemeanor larceny.

Before being transported by police, the two were taken to the Loss Prevention office at the rear of the store, where a Walmart official told Carter about the alleged scheme.

According to reports, Phillips had purchased a Bissell power steamer earlier in the day Wednesday and placed the item in a vehicle in the parking lot. She then gave the receipt to Ehiogo, “who entered the store and also grabbed a Bissell power steamer and used the receipt to depart the store,” with stolen item in hand, reports state. That evening, Phillips entered the store and reportedly attempted to exchange the steamer for a profit, prompting the call to police.

Secured bonds for Phillips and Ehiogo were set at $5,500 and $7,500, respectively.

Chris Berendt can be reached at 910-592-8137 ext. 121 or via email at sicrime@heartlandpublications.com.