From the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On 08-8-2013, at approximately 9:00 a.m., a KMART loss prevention officer at the McKinleyville KMART store reported to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office a shoplifting of cosmetics had just occurred and the female suspect left in a cream colored 2006 Mercedes C-230.

At approximately 9:12 a.m. a Humboldt County Deputy Sheriff spotted the vehicle and female suspect on Sutter Road, McKinleyville. The deputy initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle which yielded near Azalea Avenue and Sutter Road. After stopping the vehicle the deputy spoke with the female occupant and lone occupant of the car who identified herself as Karen Marie Palsson, 50 years old from Miranda. While speaking with Palsson the deputy saw she had a five shot Smith and Wesson .38 special revolver next to her thigh in the driver seat. Palsson was immediately detained by the deputy. After detaining Palsson the loaded weapon was removed from the driver’s seat.

KMART loss prevention staff responded to the scene and identified Palsson as the person they saw steal cosmetics. When Palsson was searched, the stolen cosmetics were recovered in her boot. Deputies also located a small amount of methamphetamine on Palsson, and a pipe for smoking narcotics.

Palsson was arrested for petty theft, possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle and possession of methamphetamine. She was transported and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility where her bail was set at $100,000.00.

Anyone with information for the Sheriffs Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriffs Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriffs Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.