On Wednesday, July 27, 2022, a deputy with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested a civilian employee of the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), after she committed retail theft from the Walmart store in Mulberry at 6745 Church Avenue.

36-year old Ana Ervin was charged with Petit Theft (M2). During the investigation, she stated that she is employed by FWC as a civilian budget analyst.

The investigation found that Ms. Ervin visited the store two times on Wednesday, and both times she paid for some items using a self-scan register, while intentionally placing additional items into bags which she did not scan.

Ms. Ervin was stopped by store security as she was attempting to exit the store during her second visit.

“Retail theft is a serious problem for consumers—it increases the cost of goods for everyone. We are going to continue to hold thieves accountable.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

Ms. Ervin was taken to the Sheriff’s Processing Center Wednesday evening, then bonded out overnight.

According to FWC, Ms. Ervin's employment with their agency has since been terminated.