Two female college basketball players have been arrested on suspicion of shoplifting at Walmart, police said.
The coach of the Washington State University women’s basketball team has spoken out after the disturbing incident.
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Two players, Vera Mlecatete, 22, and Kaia Woods, 19, are said to have stolen less than 50 in Walmart merchandise, according to officers.
The items they allegedly stole and how they shoplifted have not yet been revealed.
Police were called to a store in Pullman, Washington around 6 p.m. Wednesday night after receiving a shoplifting report.
Officers said the women were cooperative.
The center is Cougars senior Mulecatete. She is the team’s top rebounder and second-most scorer.
Woods is the team’s backup point guard. Participated in four games this season as a sophomore.
The Pullman Police Department plans to ask the Whitman County Attorney’s Office to indict the two players with third-degree misdemeanor theft, Pullman Radio reports.
WSU coach Cammy Etheridge told a spokesperson that he had “noticed.” [the situation] As of yesterday, we are still in the process of gathering real information and details, so I cannot say more.”
“I’m really wary of stepping over and doing something before I really understand something that’s real and completely real.
“I think it’s the same with everything – everything has a process, you have to be patient and not overdo it.
She added: “I think that’s how we’re going to handle it, and things will become clearer as things go, and obviously decisions will be made.”
WSU Athletics Division spokesman Bill Stevens told the US Sun:
The US Sun reached out to Etheridge and the team’s assistant coach for comment, but did not receive a response by the time this article was published.
The US Sun has also reached out to the Pullman Police Department for further updates on the shoplifting incident, but they have not responded to our request at this time.
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