'Push out' theft suspect awaits sentencing

SANDPOINT - A Ponderay woman accused of filling up grocery carts at Wal-Mart and rolling them out of the store without paying is scheduled to be sentenced later this month.

Sylvia Pearl Cramer was originally charged with two counts of burglary in connection with the scam, known as a "push out" in retail parlance. Cramer was charged with burglary instead of theft because she allegedly entered the store intending to commit the crime, according to court documents.

In a plea agreement with the state, Cramer is pleading guilty to a single burglary count, which is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. However, the plea agreement proposes a suspended term of four years and credit for 13 days she spent in custody.

Cramer is also being ordered to make full restitution.

Cramer, 22, allegedly wheeled a cart full of merchandise out of the Ponderay store on July 3 and again on July 12. Cramer, according to a Ponderay Police report, would enter from one side of the store, fill the basket and then exit from the other side without paying.

Cramer reportedly had accomplices in the first push out and in the second incident she was confronted by store personnel but fled before she could be apprehended. The cart in the latter incident contained more than $100 in merchandise, a police report said.

The scam attracted the attention of store workers, who noticed none of the items in the carts had been bagged by checkout clerks.

It could not be ascertained through court records if Cramer” alleged accomplices are facing charges for their roles in the heists. The Ponderay Police officer handling the investigation did not return a call seeking comment.