Accused Walmart Thief Was Previously Ordered Away From Store

A man accused of was a former employee and had previously been convicted of stealing from the store, according to court records.

Nehemiah James William Mackenzie, 27, of Wildomar, was on probation for stealing a DVD player from the Murrieta Walmart, records show.

He was convicted of a misdemeanor in the Sept. 16, 2010, theft, for which he served two days jail time and was placed on probation. A condition of his probation was that he was forbidden from having any direct or indirect contact with the Walmart, records show.

Mackenzie had previously worked as an overnight stock clerk at the retail store, according to Kayla Whaling, a Walmart spokesperson.

Mackenzie and Heather Dawn Simpson, 26, are

At the time, police investigators were told that Simpson was moving approximately $16,000 in cash from the registers to the safe when she was assaulted by an unknown male, who ran off with the cash.

Simpson at the time "played the role of a scarred robbery victim and Mackenzie was unidentified," said Murrieta police Sgt. Phil Gomez, in a news release regarding their arrest.

Whaling confirmed that Simpson worked as an overnight manager, but could not give employment start or end dates for either, except to say they were both no longer employed by Walmart.

Whaling also said the store worked with Murrieta police

"We do take these things seriously and are cooperating with police," Whaling said.

The couple was arrested Nov. 9 after Murrieta police served a search warrant at an address in Wildomar, where investigators allegedly found cash and other evidence consistent with the crime.

Mackenzie and Simpson are both due for a hearing on Tuesday, Nov. 22, at Southwest Justice Center.

Mackenzie is charged with violation of probation, which he denied, according to court records, and they are both charged with three felonies: embezzlement of more than $400, grand theft of more than $400 and burglary.

Simpson pleaded not guilty to the charges when she was arraigned Tuesday.

Mackenzie waived a formal arraignment.

They are both still in custody: Simpson is being held on $16,000 bail and Mackenzie on $5,000. Simpson was due for a bail review hearing this morning.