(ROSEVILLE, CA.) — Some people stop at the grocery store for milk and eggs.
According to Roseville Police, one woman allegedly had a much more ambitious shopping list: Tito's Vodka and thick-cut bacon. Enough to make even the meat aisle nervous.
Thirty-nine-year-old Shanae Watkins was arrested June 4 after allegedly stealing vodka and bacon from two Roseville grocery stores in what officers dubbed the case of the "Vodka & Bacon Bandit."
The investigation began at a Bel Air grocery store, where officers responded to a theft in progress.
According to police, Watkins allegedly concealed six handles of Tito's Vodka and at least 14 packages of Oscar Mayer Thick-Cut Bacon inside a shoulder bag before attempting to purchase a few unrelated items at the self-checkout.
Investigators say buying a few inexpensive items is a common shoplifting tactic intended to divert attention from concealed merchandise.
This time, however, police say the distraction didn't work.
The payment card used for the legitimate purchase was declined, and Bel Air loss prevention employees had already spotted what police described as the hidden vodka-and-bacon stash. When confronted, investigators say Watkins left the store with the merchandise.
Apparently deciding the grocery run wasn't quite finished, police say Watkins then drove to a nearby Safeway.
There, investigators allege she repeated the strategy—this time leaving with six more bottles of Tito's Vodka, five additional packages of bacon and six reusable shopping bags.
Safeway employees allegedly recognized Watkins from previous incidents and immediately contacted Roseville Police. Officers who were already investigating the Bel Air theft connected the two cases, waited outside and arrested her after she exited the store.
According to police, the alleged haul totaled:
12 bottles of Tito's Vodka
19 packages of thick-cut bacon
Six reusable shopping bags
Although California generally treats thefts under $950 as misdemeanors, police said Watkins was arrested on two felony counts under Penal Code 666.1, which can apply to repeat theft offenders, along with one count of possession of stolen property.
She was booked into the South Placer County Jail.
(Credit: Roseville Police Department Instagram post.)
The internet had questions...mostly about bacon.
Roseville Police's Facebook and Instagram posts quickly attracted hundreds of comments, with many readers less interested in the alleged theft than the unusual grocery list.
One commenter wrote, "I need a follow-up on this. I'm going to lose sleep over this. I need to know what she was making that required this combo."
Another joked, "Was she about to make some mean Bloody Mary’s?"
Several people questioned the logistics more than the alleged crime.
"Is she Mary Poppins? All of that in her shoulder bag?" one person asked.
Another wondered, "How do you fit that many handles in a handbag?"
Others poked fun at the shopping list itself.
"Where's the party?" one commenter wrote.
Another quipped, "Finally I can go to the store and buy some bacon and not wonder why the shelf is empty."
Not everyone found humor in the case. Several commenters praised officers and store employees, thanking Roseville Police and loss prevention staff for protecting local businesses and noting that repeated retail theft contributes to higher prices for everyone.
Police also credited the loss prevention teams at both stores with helping bring the alleged shopping spree to an end.
As for why anyone would pair 19 packages of bacon with a dozen bottles of Tito's?
That's one ingredient investigators—and the internet—are still trying to figure out.
The suspect in this story is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. If you’d like to add or correct anything in this report, feel free to reach out to me or leave a comment below. Submit Roseville tips and story ideas to Sarah Denos at sarahkdenos@gmail.com.
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