Sioux Center, Iowa — A Hawarden teen has been arrested on felony theft charges after an incident at the Sioux Center Walmart.
According to a criminal complaint filed with the Sioux County Clerk of Court’s Office by the Sioux Center Police Department, 18-year-old Christopher Ruiz of Hawarden is accused of theft as an employee. He was arrested last week.
In his statement, the officer states that a Walmart official provided a list of transactions and video footage of Ruiz operating the cash register, when, according to the store, Ruiz, on multiple occasions accepted cash from customers for their purchases, but pocketed the cash instead of putting it in the cash register. Store officials had gone back as far as November 10th, and since that time, they said the amount stolen was $4,700, but that they would go back through all of Ruiz’s time at Walmart to get the total amount.
The officer also says that Ruiz had provided a written statement to Walmart employees in which he admitted to taking candy, drinks, and approximately six to seven thousand dollars.
Ruiz was charged with second-degree theft, a class D felony. If convicted, Ruiz could face up to five years in prison.
Ruiz faces arraignment on December 18th, 2023.
At last report, Ruiz remained in the Sioux County Jail in Orange City in lieu of a $5000 cash or surety bond.
