Charges filed in alleged retail theft

Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward has announced criminal charges related to an alleged theft of merchandise from a popular Visalia electronics store on Tuesday.

Mikey Manning, 24, and Debanee Harrell, 34, both of Fresno, are alleged to have stolen several smart tablets, speakers, a doorbell camera, and other electronics from Best Buy in Visalia. Both are charged with seconddegree commercial burglary, grand theft, and conspiracy to commit a crime. Each count is a felony.

Harrell is further charged with the special allegation of possessing a prior strike for robbery in 2006. She's additionally charged with a misdemeanor count of driving without a valid license.

“We are not going to allow Tulare County businesses, employees, and patrons to be part of the larger story being played out across our state,” Ward said. “Brazen retail theft will not be tolerated and we will use every tool we have to make sure businesses are protected. There will be consequences for anyone who commits or attempts to commit crimes like these in our county.”

Harrell and Manning were arrested on Tuesday. By lawn an arraignment was scheduled for Thursday and charges were filed by the district attorney on Thursday.

Prior to the arraignment, the court released Manning and Harrell from custody before the Office of the District Attorney could object to their release. Prosecutors still appeared and objected on the record. Harrell and Manning were cited and are scheduled to return to court for arraignment on January 13.