Hunter
07/11/24
An area transient who was arrested twice last month for stealing has been accused of stealing items from the Iowa City Walmart on the 4 th of July.
Police were dispatched to the Highway 1 location at around 2pm for a shoplifting incident that had just occurred. According to staff, 27-year-old Hunter Sorenson was at the store at around 1:45pm and was observed placing various cosmetic items in a diaper bag that he had taken from a rack.
The value of the items exceeded $100.
Sorensen reportedly went to leave the store without paying for the items and was confronted by staff, who were familiar with him from previous recent theft incidents. He allegedly refused to stop for staff.
KCJJ reported one instance on June 17 th , when Sorenson allegedly selected several items from the grocery area, then sat down in the middle of the store and ate the food. After reportedly selecting a pair of sandals and putting them on his feet, loss prevention stopped him and escorted him to the front of the store. He reportedly refused to pay for the merchandise, and told them “you don’t know me.”
A warrant for Sorenson’s arrest was issued on Tuesday; he was taken into custody Wednesday and charged with the upgraded charge of 3 rd degree theft due to a string of previous theft convictions dating back to 2015.
Sorenson was released on his own recognizance pending arraignment. If convicted on the charge, he faces a maximum jail sentence of two years.