SARTELL - Sartell police arrested a 20-year-old shoplifting suspect who was hiding in a barrel.  Officers were called to Walmart at about 11:00 p.m. Saturday.  However, before they arrived the female suspect had already left the store in a vehicle.

Officers were familiar with the vehicle and were aware that it frequents Shady Oaks Trailer Park at 188 County Road 120. Officers went to that location and found the vehicle. When officers were pulling up, the suspect identified as Linaya Mathis exited the vehicle and ran into a trailer.

The owner of the trailer arrived and allowed officers to search his trailer.  But, Mathis was no longer inside.

A search of the area located Mathis about an hour later hiding inside a 55 gallon plastic drum.

Mathis had no coat and was not dressed for the weather with the temperature being -10 degrees. Gold Cross Ambulance was called and Mathis was taken to St. Cloud Hospital.

The items shoplifted were found near where Mathis was hiding. Mathis also is also accused of providing officers with a false name. When officers were given her correct name it was found that Mathis also had 4 felony warrants for her arrest out of Stearns, Benton, Morrison, and McLeod County.

Once Mathis was cleared at the hospital she was taken to the Stearns County Jail.

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