The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Local News

September 13, 2012

Woman who kidnapped Walmart cashier pleads guilty

The Free Press

NEW ULM — A woman accused of kidnapping and making terroristic threats in the New Ulm Wal-Mart has pleaded guilty.

Elisheba Swett, 38, of Worthington entered the plea in Brown County District this week. Her bail was set at $100,000 and her sentencing date is scheduled for Oct. 16.

According to court documents:

Swett said she seized a Walmart cashier on June 14, forcing her into the parking lot and saying there was a bomb in the store.

The cashier said Swett had gone through her checkout line with four items, then claimed she didn’t have money to pay for them.

The clerk said Swett left, saying she’d return with the money. A few minutes later Swett returned and demanded that the cashier put money from the cash register into the bag containing the items.

At that point Swett told the cashier she’d planted a bomb in the store. The store manager intervened and Swett grabbed the cashier and forced her out of the building.

Witnesses told authorities Swett released the cashier when police arrived. Swett resisted arrest and was taken to jail.

Police evacuated the store and searched it but found no explosives.

The entire event was captured on the store’s surveillance cameras.

Swett pleaded guilty to felony kidnapping and making terroristic threats, a gross misdemeanor. She initially was charged with five felony and misdemeanor counts, including aggravated attempted robbery and assault.

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