To the Editor:

Today my name was listed in the police blotter as being charged with petit larceny and aggravated unlicensed operation. I am Mary P. Ashley and feel that it is important for people to know the truth about this.

First off my license is valid, I paid off fines for various traffic tickets and it was simply not updated in the DMV'S system yet. Secondly regarding the incident at Walmart, I went to Potsdam Walmart, Monday night to purchase plaster to repair a hole in my bathroom, I ended up spending an hour plus in the store and purchasing various items, $130 worth to be exact.

I used the self checkout and exited through the double doors where a man identifying himself as loss prevention ran up behind me told me to stop and that I had stolen items; to which I responded that I had just paid and had my receipt.

Arriving at my car and placing my bags in it I realized some loose items, which I had missed in my checking out. I apologized to this man and offered to return to the store and pay for the three small items I had missed. He told me no that I had already stolen and that he wanted my picture and was going to call the police.

I placed the items in a bag and handed them to him and said never mind, I don't want them anymore and went to get in my vehicle when he said he was calling the police and that they would be looking for me -- to which I responded "that is fine, I haven't stolen anything, I have my receipt to show for all the merchandise I am leaving with."

Needless to say charges were pressed and the police came to my home and arrested me the following day. After telling the officer what happened I was told that I still stole because I walked past the point of purchase with concealed merchandise and state law considers that petit larceny regardless of whether it was a mistake or not.

So as you read my name in the police blotter and think about my side of the story because this error could have happened to anybody, and because the man wouldn't allow me to re-enter the store and purchase those items I went home and bought them online from Walmart.com.

Mary Ashley

Norwood