By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Police investigators say a China Grove pair face felony charges after a loss prevention officer caught them switching the tags of lower-priced items with those of higher-priced items at Walmart.

Meredith Kristen Simmons, 27, of the 100 block of Chasity Lane, was charged with felony larceny.

Austin Honeycutt, also of the 100 block of Chasity Lane, was charged with felony larceny of stolen goods, misdemeanor second-degree trespassing and misdemeanor possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance. Honeycutt was also charged with a probation violation out of Davie County.

The loss prevention officer spotted the two switching the tags and stopped them as they went to the register to ring up the items, a police report said.

The two bought $187 worth of toys, $26 worth of personal accessories and a $14 belt, the report said.

Two young children were with Simmons and Honeycutt in the store.

Simmons was released from the Rowan County Detention Center under a $1,000 secured bond. Honeycutt remains in the jail under a $10,000 secured bond.

Simmons has a number of previous convictions including felony breaking and entering, felony drug possession, and maintaining a dwelling for controlled substances. Her post-release probation was revoked in 2015.

Honeycutt has a number of misdemeanor convictions including shoplifting or concealing a device, larceny, second-degree trespassing, breaking and entering, and driving offenses.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.