On Tuesday, May 25, at 2 p.m., officers of the Highlands Police Department received a call from the retail clothing store Potpourri about a shoplifting incident that had taken place just minutes prior.
According to a statement from police department, the suspect was described as a female with brown hair, wearing a black top and brown pants, carrying a green bag.
When officers arrived in the area, they found a female matching that description entering another store on Main Street. The officers confirmed the description with the store clerk and approached the female.
The suspect allowed the officers to search her bags, where four items of clothing were discovered which matched items stolen from Potpourri.
The suspect did not have any other items that appeared to have been stolen. The suspect was charged with misdemeanor concealment of merchandise and misdemeanor larceny.
Robin Piscitelli, owner of Potpourri, told officers that his businesses have a zero-tolerance policy for shoplifting and said that he would pursue charges on anyone caught shoplifting in his stores.
The Highlands Police Department encourages all shop owners, managers, and employees to be vigilant when working in their stores, and to report any suspected theft as soon as possible. Quick reporting by businesses with a detailed description of the suspect and any items taken makes it much more likely that law enforcement will be able to find the suspect and return the items.