An Elizabethton woman faces a felony charge after police say she stole more than $700 in merchandise from a local retailer during a five-hour stay in the store.

Elizabethton police officers arrested Cynthia Bristol, 66, of 431 W. G St. Saturday and charged her with shoplifting over $500.

Officers responded to a report of shoplifting at Wal-Mart around 8:30 p.m. Saturday. When officers arrived, they spoke to Nicholas Lyons, a loss prevention employee at the store, who said he first began watching Bristol around 3:30 that afternoon.

“Lyons stated that Bristol retrieved several empty Wal-Mart plastic bags from an empty cashier’s booth and began to walk around the store selecting merchandise,” EPD Officer Justin Pearce said. “Lyons stated Bristol placed $754.36 worth of merchandise into the plastic bags, which were in her shopping cart, and attempted to leave the store without paying for the merchandise.”

When Bristol attempted to leave the store, Lyons detained her until police arrived.

“I asked Bristol if she was going to purchase the items she selected, and she stated that she ‘didn’t plan on it,’ ” Pearce said.

Pearce arrested Bristol and transported her to the Carter County Detention Center. She was released after posting a $1,000 bond. Bristol is scheduled to appear in Carter County General Sessions Court April 6.