UPDATE: Rhinelander Police captain Ron Lueneburg sent out an email update Monday afternoon, writing “we believe we have positively identified the two females suspected of being involved in the theft and criminal damage incident which occurred at Walmart on Sept. 17. The Rhinelander Police Department appreciates the assistance you provided by disseminating the photos so that we could gain information from the public. We expect to be forwarding our investigation to the Oneida County District Attorney’s Office in the near future for possible issuance of arrest warrants.”

The Rhinelander Police Department is requesting assistance from the public in identifying two persons involved in a theft and criminal damage to property case that occured recently at the Rhinelander Walmart.

During the early morning hours of Monday, Sept. 17, two females entered the WalMart store in Rhinelander and attempted to remove approximately $1,300 in merchandise without paying. While the two suspects were unable to steal all of their intended merchandise, they were able to steal several items. It is believed that contact with a store employee foiled the criminal efforts of the two women.

In addition to the retail theft, the two suspects were also involved in damaging property, valued at approximately $2,000, owned by Walmart. Images of the two females that police are considering to be persons of interest were captured on surveillance video as they were leaving the store. The two females left in a vehicle believed to be white in color.

Anyone with information as to the identity of either of these persons, or information about this or any other crime, are urged to contact the Rhinelander Police Department at (715) 365-5300. Citizens may also report criminal activity and suspicious activity anonymously by calling the We-Tip Hotline at (800) 78-CRIME, or you may submit a tip at wetip.com. No one will ever know who you are, and cash rewards of up to $1,000 are given upon verified reports from law enforcement that WeTip information was received prior to arrest and that the information was helpful in the arrest and conviction.