A Pana, Illinois resident was sentenced to prison for retail theft with a prior forgery conviction.  43-year-old Sarah Carnahan of Pana was sentenced to two years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the offense of retail theft with a prior forgery conviction, a Class 4 felony with a sentencing range of 1-3 years in prison.  She also must pay a total of $3,240 in fines and court costs. 

On March 13, 2022, Carnahan took possession of miscellaneous items offered for sale at Walmart in Shelbyville, having a total value of less than $300 without paying the full retail value of the merchandise. An employee of Walmart witnessed Carnahan acting suspicious with two other suspects and alerted the Shelbyville Police Department.  Officer Eric Culberson responded to Walmart.  The Walmart employee then witnessed Carnahan take possession of a backpack offered for sale, place sunglasses and shoes inside, and cover the backpack with her coat.  Carnahan then exited the store.  The Walmart employee asked Carnahan to stop and she ignored him.  Officer Culberson then announced himself and Carnahan sprinted towards her vehicle.  Once apprehended, she confessed to the theft. The approximate value of the stolen items was $150. 
 
Carnahan has a prior 2019 conviction for the offense of forgery for which she received probation in Christian County.  

The case was investigated by the Shelbyville Police Department.