Bail set at $10,000 for Tacoma woman accused of stealing nearly $800 worth of items from the Centralia Outlets

A Tacoma woman faces three felony charges after she and an accomplice allegedly stole $791.75 worth of items from three stores at the Centralia Outlets on Aug. 26.

Natalia L. Baptiste, 38, faces one count of second-degree retail theft with special circumstances, one count of second-degree organized retail theft and one count of second-degree burglary.

Her alleged accomplice, Sheyleanna Perez, 26, also of Tacoma, has yet to appear in court for similar charges.
Of the three counts against Baptiste, the second-degree burglary charge — which pertains to an alleged theft from Nike — carries the greatest potential sentence of 10 years in prison and $20,000 in fines.

As part of a 2023 conviction for retail theft in Lewis County, Baptiste was ordered to “not have contact with the Nike store for five years,” according to court documents.

On Tuesday, however, Nike employees reported that $179.98 in items were stolen from the store. GAP reported a theft of $363.31 in items. New Balance reported a theft of $248.46 in items.

After first being dispatched to the New Balance store in response to the reported theft, two Centralia police officers reportedly located the suspects at a nearby convenience store.

According to court documents, Baptiste “initially denied stealing from GAP, but then admitted she had stolen from New Balance, then stolen from GAP, and then stolen from Nike.”

She was eventually arrested and booked into the Lewis County Jail.

During Baptiste’s preliminary hearing in Lewis County Superior Court on Aug. 27, Deputy Prosecutor Brandi Archer asked for a bail of $10,000.

“While the state recognizes the nonviolent nature of these offenses, the state is concerned about the nature of this case and the fact that she had a similar case about two years ago in this county,” Archer said.

According to Archer, Baptiste has had 43 prior warrants. Court documents stated she has four active warrants.
Defense attorney Rachael Tiller asked for consideration of an unsecured bail, otherwise no more than $5,000 if required.

“We have provided stable residential information,” Tiller said. “She is working. Her schooling is about to begin this week.” Tiller indicated that Baptiste also had stable transportation.

Judge J. Andrew Toynbee set bail at $10,000 cash or bond, as requested by the state, which he said was “reasonable under all the circumstances, especially considering the very similar recent conviction.”

An arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 4. Joshua House has been assigned to represent Baptiste.