At about 5:21pm Thursday, Turlock Police responded to a suspicious person at Kohl’s in the 2700 block of Countryside Drive.

The caller was loss prevention, stating they were watching a woman concealing items in a backpack.

Officers arrived on scene and stood by the front doors, waiting for the woman to come out.

A short time later, the woman, later identified as Laura Madrigal, 39, of Turlock, committed theft in the officers’ presence by walking out with unpaid-for merchandise.

Madrigal was immediately confronted and Officer Becerra showed her a photo, asking if it was her. Madrigal admitted that it was her.

During the investigation, Madrigal falsely identified herself but her lie was quickly discovered.

Madrigal was arrested and booked into the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center on charges of shoplifting and falsely identifying to a peace officer.