BUTLER TWP — Jeanette M. Bonner, 40, of Butler allegedly helped herself to more than $8,000 in merchandise while she worked for the Walmart at the Butler Commons shopping plaza.

Butler Township police on Monday charged Bonner with felony theft. She admitted to the crime, according to court documents.

She could not be reached her for comment.

Police said the former employee took the merchandise between Jan. 24 and May 15. It was not immediately known how long she worked there.

A telephone call to a spokesman at the Walmart corporate office in Arkansas was not immediately turned today.

“She would use the self-checkout and scan some items and not scan others,” Police Chief John Hays said of how Bonner managed to get away with the suspected theft.

The store apparently caught on in May and confronted her, documents said.

Investigators believe Bonner stole merchandise valued at $8,175.

Hays noted that the theft allegations are backed by the store’s video surveillance system.