DONKEY: Woman Banned Every Walmart In The U.S. After Repeated Shoplifting

Summary

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Donkey of the Day: Woman Banned from Every Walmart in the U.S. After Repeated Shoplifting

Podcast: Donkey of the Day, The Breakfast Club – Power 105.1 FM (WWPR-FM)
Host: Charlamagne Tha God, Angela Yee
Date: February 21, 2025

Overview

In this episode of "Donkey of the Day," Charlamagne Tha God highlights the story of Ashley Cross, a 37-year-old woman from Memphis, Tennessee, who has been banned from every Walmart location in the United States due to repeated shoplifting. The episode dives into the details of her most recent arrest, the economic context behind rising shoplifting incidents, and reflects on the societal pressures that may drive individuals to such actions, using a signature blend of humor and social commentary.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Story of Ashley Cross (02:26 – 04:33)

• Angela Yee introduces Ashley Cross as the subject, noting her Memphis origins and status as a repeat shoplifter.
• Charlamagne provides a nostalgic reflection on the importance of Walmart in rural America, humorously recalling his own upbringing and setting the tone.
• The key details from the news:
  • Ashley was caught shoplifting from a Walmart on Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis.
  • She is on Walmart’s "authorization of agency" list—a real registry that bans individuals from entering any Walmart in the country.
  • Incident specifics: Ashley used a device to scan all items at self-checkout for $1 each, including 11 packs of ramen noodles, women’s boots, jeans, and a t-shirt (totaling $137.34).
  • Ashley’s bail is set at $7,500; her accomplice received a lighter penalty.

Quote:
“Ashley Cross, charged with criminal trespass and theft of merchandise, is according to the police report a well-known shoplifter at this Walmart... So well known to Walmart that Cross is on an authorization of agency list, meaning she’s banned from any Walmart location in the United States.” (News Reporter, 03:59)

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2. Humorous and Honest Reflections on Shoplifting (04:45 – 06:30)

• Angela Yee openly discusses her younger self’s history with shoplifting, adding humor but also a note of personal growth.
• She highlights the creativity of Ashley’s method and observes the changing face of theft in the age of self-checkout.

Quote:
"I stand a creative thief. Okay, y'all still stealing like Flintstones; Ashley out here like a Jetson with it.”
(Angela Yee, 05:16)

• Both hosts riff on the logic and desperation that might lead someone to repeatedly risk shoplifting for basic necessities.

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3. Societal and Economic Context (05:55 – 07:34)

• Charlamagne provides context about inflation and economic frustration leading to increased thefts at big box stores, especially essential goods.
• He underscores the challenges facing ordinary Americans—and predicts the problem may worsen as economic pressures persist.

Quote:
“In America... there's going to be a lot more of this. Why? Because during America’s inflation crisis, Walmart was the spot... And if people keep losing their jobs, they will be broker... Sometimes one of those things is shoplifting.”
(Charlamagne Tha God, 06:16)

• However, he is careful not to excuse the behavior but rather tries to explain the mounting socio-economic pressures.

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4. Consequences, Ban, and Donkey of the Day Award (07:34 – 07:45)

• Ashley is given "Donkey of the Day" for her persistent infractions and final achievement: being banned by every Walmart in America.

Quote:
“Some Donkey of the Days just sell themselves. Please give Ashley Cross the sweet sounds of the Hamiltones. You are the Donkey of the Day.”
(Charlamagne Tha God, 07:28)

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5. Lighthearted Banter and Afterthoughts (07:45 – 08:36)

• Angela Yee notes there’s little sympathy for a repeat offender and wonders why Ashley didn’t "switch it up" rather than keep returning.
• Charlamagne hypothesizes about the snowball effect of early offenses that may damage job prospects, perhaps contributing to the cycle.
• The hosts riff on the psychological “wiggle” of justifying petty thefts, providing humor and relatability.

Memorable Exchange:
“You’re so lucky you were stealing when your face was two different colors because they wouldn’t have recognized you from either side.”
(Charlamagne Tha God to Angela Yee, 08:31)
“That is very true. If I’m on camera in 2016, that’s not me. That’s not true. Okay. That is not me. All right. Not the same person.”
(Angela Yee, 08:36)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Walmart’s reach and childhood nostalgia:
  “When you grow up in the country like I did... the 24 hour Walmart is everything.” (Charlamagne Tha God, 02:34)

• On the escalation of shoplifting and creative tactics:
  “She was using a barcode from an old watch battery to scan all her items for just $1 at self checkout.” (Angela Yee, 05:12)

• On societal pressure and inevitability:
  “I’m not making excuses for Ashley. I’m just telling America what the inevitable is when you don’t take care of the least of us.” (Charlamagne Tha God, 06:56)

• Joking about being on security footage:
  “If I’m on camera in 2016, that’s not me... Not the same person.” (Angela Yee, 08:36)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:26 – Angela introduces Ashley Cross and Walmart context
• 03:59 – News report on Ashley’s arrest and national ban
• 04:45 – Angela’s reflections on past shoplifting
• 05:55 – Discussion of economic climate and rising theft
• 07:34 – Donkey of the Day award and Hamiltones song
• 07:45 – Banter on repeat offenses, consequences, and job prospects

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Tone & Style

The episode maintains the Breakfast Club’s signature tone: irreverent, humorous, and sharp, while also weaving in thoughtful observations about economic hardship, recidivism, and the “inevitable” rise in survival-based crime. Charlamagne and Angela keep the conversation lively and relatable, mixing personal anecdotes with biting commentary.

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This summary captures the key themes, discussions, and memorable quotes from the episode, providing a comprehensive guide for listeners new or returning to the "Donkey of the Day" segment.

Transcript

[Charlemagne Tha God]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Enya Umanzor]

Hi, my name is Enya Umanzor.

[Drew Phillips]

And I'm Drew Phillips, and we run.

[Enya Umanzor]

A podcast called Emergency Intercom.

[Drew Phillips]

If you're a crime junkie and you love crimes, we're not the podcast for you. But if you have unmedicated adhd.

[Enya Umanzor]

Oh my God, perfect.

[Drew Phillips]

And want to hear people with mental illness psychobabble.

[Enya Umanzor]

Yes, yes, yes.

[Drew Phillips]

Then Emergency Intercom is the podcast for you. Open your free iHeartradio app, search emergency Intercom and listen now.

[Jenica Lopez]

Hi, I'm Jenica Lopez, and in the new season of the Over Comfort podcast, I'm even more honest, more vulnerable, and more real than ever. Am I ready to enter this new part of my life? Like, am I ready to be in a relationship? Am I ready to have kids and to really just devote myself and my time? Join me for conversations about healing and growth, all from one of my favorite spaces, the kitchen. Listen to the new season of the Overcomer podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast.

[Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman]

I'm Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman, host of the Psychology Podcast. Here's a clip from an upcoming conversation about how to be a better you. When you think about emotion regulation, you're not going to choose an adaptive strategy which is more effortful to use unless you think there's a good outcome. Avoidance is easier. Ignoring is easier. Denial is easier. Complex problem sol takes effort. Listen to the Psychology podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Charlemagne Tha God]

Every case that is a cold case that has DNA right now in a backlog will be identified in our lifetime.

[Enya Umanzor]

On the new podcast, America's Crime Lab. Every case has a story to tell and the DNA holds the truth.

[News Reporter]

He never thought he was going to get caught.

[Angela Yee]

And I just looked at my computer screen, I was just like, ah, gotcha. This technology's already solving so many cases.

[Enya Umanzor]

Listen, America's Crime Lab on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Charlemagne Tha God]

He gave me Donkey of the Day.

[Angela Yee]

And I deserve the people need to know.

[Enya Umanzor]

Well, you need to tell them.

[Angela Yee]

I am. You have the voice. Tell them it's time for Donkey of the Day.

[Charlemagne Tha God]

It's a read. But you're so good at it, you're.

[Angela Yee]

Trying to be a fake ass Charlemagne. There's only one Charlemagne involved.

[Enya Umanzor]

Damn Charlemagne. Who you giving duck the other day to now?

[Angela Yee]

Well, sexy red donkey, Today for Friday, February 21st goes to Ashley Cross. Ashley is a 37 year old African American woman from Memphis, Tennessee. Okay. Salute to everyone who listens to us on K97 in Memphis. Now I'm sure that you all are aware by now that a lot of companies have rolled back their diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. One of those companies is Walmart. Now if you read my first book, Black Privilege and you know the joy Walmart bought me as a child. Because when you grow up in the country like I did, salute the most corner South Carolina drop on the clues bombs for most corners South Carolina. When you grow the country or rural area, the 24 hour Walmart is everything. Okay, that's where we would go late at night because there was nothing else to do. Yes, the good old days, walking the holy grounds of Walmart. This was way back in the day when the only thing they were rolling back is prices. But a lot of people have called for a boycott of these companies, in particular Target. But Ashley Cross has decided that she is staging a one woman boycott of Walmart. Yes, in fact, Ashley is not going to be shopping at Walmart and period, no Walmart in the country. None of them ever again. Okay, do you have that kind of commitment to your boycott? Can you vow to never shop in an establishment ever again? Or a Scott paper towel being 1068 for 12 rolls? Too great a deal to pass up. Well, if it is, then you can always do what Ashley did. Because it's guaranteed Ashley will never step foot in any Walmart ever again. And I lied. It's not because she's boycotting Walmart. It's actually because Walmart is boycotting her. What do you mean, Uncle Charlo? Walmart is boycotting her. Well, let's go to News Channel 3 for the report, please.

[News Reporter]

Ashley Cross, charged with criminal trespass and theft of merchandise, is according to the police report, a well known shoplifter at this Walmart on Elvis Presley Boulevard in Whitehaven. So well known to Walmart that Cross is on an authorization of agency list, meaning she's banned from any Walmart location in the United States. The Elvis Presley Boulevard store is where Cross and another Suspect were arrested February 10th. Cross was seen using a device to scan her items for $1 at a self checkout machine.

[Enya Umanzor]

Ashley Cross remains in jail on a $7,500 bond. She is due back in court Feb. 19. The suspect with Cross received a misdemeanor citation for theft of property.

[Angela Yee]

Oh, she already went to court. I wonder what happened. Listen, I used to shoplift up until 2016, okay? That's when I stopped shoplifting. But I didn't, you know, feel Like I was stealing because I. Nine years ago. Yeah, about nine years.

[Charlemagne Tha God]

You had a little money nine years ago. Are you still stealing?

[Angela Yee]

I don't know, but I didn't feel like it was stealing because I didn't try to hide anything. I would walk in and, you know, take what I want and just walk out. You only get caught when you look suspicious, you know. Plus I never really stole anything but magazines, you know, when I was young, like Black and mild, 12 packs of Bud Light, random stuff like that. But Ashley is clearly a kleptomaniac and she's good because she was using a barcode from an old watch battery to scan all her Items for just $1 to self check out. I stand a creative thief. Okay, y' all still stealing like Flintstones Ashley out here like a Jetson with it. Or maybe this is the normal way to shoplift. Now I don't steal anymore, so I wouldn't know. But Ashley stole 11 packs of ramen noodles, women's boots, a pair of jeans and a T shirt, all totaling $137.34. Now this woman was clearly stealing essentials. Okay, These are reasonable things to steal. Ramen noodles, boots, clothes. I understand. In America. I'm going to tell you something you don't want to hear. There's going to be a lot more of this. Why? Because during America's inflation crisis, Walmart was the spot. Okay, you can get good deals, all types of essentials. But on yesterday, Walmart said things are about to get slow because consumers are growing increasingly frustrated with inflation and they're concerned about President Trump's tariffs. Basically folks been broke and if people keep losing their jobs, they will be broker. And if you are the reason, okay, people are losing their jobs like Elon Musk and Donald Trump are in regards to federal workers and you putting tariffs on items. Not only do I not have a job, things are going to be even more expensive. So what am I going to resort to doing? I'll tell you what people will resort to doing. Trying to survive. And trying to survive can look like a number of things. And sometimes one of those things is shoplifting. I'm not making excuses for Ashley. I'm just telling America what the. What the inevitable is when you don't take care of the least of us. Nevertheless, Ashley Cross is on Walmart's authorization of agency list, which prohibits her from entering any Walmart store across the country. I didn't know know such a list existed, but Ashley is on it and she is currently. Well, I don't even Know if currently, but she was being held on a 7, 500 bond. Probably still in there. She's probably still in there. Because if he ain't had $134 to get these items from Walmart, you damn sure ain't got the 7, 500 bond. All the 10 of 750 to get out. But some donkey of the days just sell themselves. Please give Ashley Cross the sweet sounds of the Hamiltones. You are the donkey of the day.

[News Reporter]

You are the donkey of the day.

[Angela Yee]

All right. It's just. You feel bad for. No, you don't feel bad for her. She's a repeat offender. She could have got a job or.

[Charlemagne Tha God]

Maybe the first offense put something on her record and she couldn't get the job.

[Angela Yee]

That is true, too, but she stole from there a lot. Why wouldn't you switch it up?

[Charlemagne Tha God]

All right, this is gonna sound bad, but. No. You ever. You ever be in self checkout and be feeling like I'm this. I shouldn't have to pay for this stuff. Like some of this stuff is old to me. Like, maybe she felt like that.

[Angela Yee]

No, I don't. I don't feel that way. I felt like that. And that's what happens when you still wiggle. When you still wiggle. You know what I'm saying? Huh?

[Charlemagne Tha God]

What?

[Angela Yee]

What happened?

[Charlemagne Tha God]

You snorting?

[Angela Yee]

Yeah.

[Charlemagne Tha God]

You so lucky you were stealing when your face was two different colors because they wouldn't have recognized you from either side.

[Angela Yee]

That is true. That is very true. If you. If. If I'm on camera in 2016. That's not me. That's not true. Okay. That is not me. All right. Not the same person. Donkey of the Day is sponsored by renowned personal injury attorney Michael the Bull lame itself. Don't be a donkey. When you need on your side. If you're ever injured, go to Michael the Bull dot com. That's Michael the Bull dot com. And when you mess with the bull, you get the horns. Wake that ass up in the morning. The Breakfast Club.

[Enya Umanzor]

Hi, my name is Enya Umanzor.

[Drew Phillips]

And I'm Drew Phillips.

[Enya Umanzor]

And we run a podcast called Emergency Intercom.

[Drew Phillips]

If you're a crime junkie and you love crimes, we're not the podcast for you, but if you have unmedicated adhd.

[Enya Umanzor]

Oh, my God, perfect.

[Drew Phillips]

And want to hear people with mental illness psychobabble.

[Enya Umanzor]

Yes. Yes.

[Drew Phillips]

Then Emergency Intercom's the podcast for you. Open your free iHeartradio app, search emergency Intercom, and listen.

[Angela Yee]

Now, what would you do if one bad decision forced you to choose between a maximum security prison or the most brutal boot camp designed to be hell on earth. Unfortunately for Mark Lombardo, this was the choice he faced. He said, you are a number, a New York state number, and we own you. Listen to shock incarceration on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I just normally do straight stand up, but this is a bit different.

[Enya Umanzor]

What do you get when a true crime producer walks into a comedy club? A new podcast called Wisecrack, where a comedian finds himself at the center of a chilling true crime story.

[Angela Yee]

Does anyone know what show they've come to see? It's a story. It's about the scariest night of my life.

[Enya Umanzor]

This is Wisecrack, available now. Listen to Wisecrack on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Charlemagne Tha God]

Every case that is a cold case that has DNA right now in a backlog will be identified in our lifetime.

[Enya Umanzor]

On the new podcast America's Crime Lab. Every case has a story to tell and the DNA holds the truth.

[News Reporter]

He never thought he was going to get caught.

[Angela Yee]

And I just looked at my computer screen, I was just like, ah, gotcha. This technology's already solving so many cases.

[Enya Umanzor]

Listen to America's Crime Lab on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Charlemagne Tha God]

This is an iHeart podcast.