On June 8, 2025, State Police responded to a larceny complaint at the Walmart on State Route 11 in Malone, NY. Employees reported that a female suspect had entered the store and walked out with merchandise valued at$71.30, bypassing all points of sale. The description provided by staff, along with the noted license plate on the getaway vehicle, allowed officers to locate the suspect quickly.
During the ensuing traffic stop, officers discovered the suspect inside the vehicle. She was identified as Catherine M. Tambini, a 59-year-old resident of Malone, whose appearance matched the description provided by Walmart employees. Further inquiry revealed that Tambini had also committed a similar offense at the same Walmart on April 20, 2025, stealing merchandise valued at$525.53.
Records show that Tambini had previous arrests for trespassing and was under a court-imposed restriction preventing her from entering any Walmart stores. This ban elevated the seriousness of her actions. Under New York law, entering a property from which one is banned constitutes unlawful entry. When this act is combined with the intent to commit theft, it satisfies the criteria for burglary in the third degree. The charge, defined under New York Penal Law § 140.20, applies when an individual knowingly enters or remains in a building with the intent to commit a crime.
Tambini was subsequently arrested and transported to SP Malone for processing. She was charged with burglary in the third degree, arraigned in the Town of Malone Court, and later remanded to Franklin County Jail. The ongoing investigation continues to address additional details related to the case.
