Local businesses are at the heart of the Highlands and Cashiers area, but in recent weeks multiple shops have been the victims of a shoplifter who has stolen thousands of dollars in merchandise.
Around 3:50 p.m. on June 16, The Gallery at Highlands in Cabin Couture reported a potential shoplifting incident involving a woman who was suspected of stealing multiple pieces of merchandise, including a wooden and metal art piece valued at $1,250 and a cowhide valued at $350. On the morning of June 17, the Highland Hiker in Highlands reported a similar shoplifting incident in which a $115 dress, $329 poncho and $40 worth of underwear were stolen from the store. Highlands Police determined that the alleged culprit was the same woman at both stores.
“A Highlands Police officer was approached by a local business owner who believed that a customer had stolen a very expensive piece of artwork,” the Highlands Police Department report stated. “The next day, June 17, officers were called to another business reporting a shoplifter from the previous day. Video footage from both stores shows the same woman.”
Thealleged shoplifter is a heavyset, Caucasian woman thought to be between the ages of 45 to 55 years old. She has sandy blond hair and appears to be 5’5” to 5’8” tall. She was seen driving a silver sedan with a sunroof that resembled a Honda Accord. She was also seen traveling with a yellow Labrador retriever.
In addition to the more than $2,000 worth of goods stolen in Highlands, the shoplifter was also suspected of stealing a rug valued just under $650 from the Village Hound in Cashiers around 5 p.m. on Jun 16. There have also been additional reports that the woman has been spotted in Robin’s Nest multiple times, however, these reports are unconfirmed.
“We have had a report with the same description as the case from Highlands with the female where the photo has been circulating,” Jackson County Sheriff Department Major Shannon Queen said. “This larceny in Cashiers occurred on June 16, at the Village Hound. The female suspect shoplifted a small rug from the store.”
While North Carolina statute does allow private citizens to apprehend an individual suspected of shoplifting, Highlands Police Chief Andrea Holland strongly advises against any citizen or business owner from entering into a physical confrontation for safety reasons.
“According to NC general statute 15A-4040(b)(4), a private citizen can detain an individual for the theft of property; however, I would not suggest that a private individual detain another due to safety reasons,” Holland said. “The employee does not know if the suspect/offended is carrying a weapon. The employee could be physically harmed while attempting to detain the individual. I suggest the employee call 911 or allow the person to go. Protection of merchandise is not worth injury or death.”
Holland also advises against anyone following the woman for the same reasons. She advises people to collect as much identifying information on the woman as possible while avoiding the risk of injury.
“If the person leaves the store, provide law enforcement with a detailed description of the offender and the item(s) stolen,” Holland said. “Try to determine the offender’s direction of travel; however, don’t risk personal injury.”
Highlands Police Department and the Jackson County Sheriff’s office are currently investigating the incidents. Anyone with any information on the identity of the woman is asked to please contact Highlands Detective Sgt. Tim Broughton at 828-482-2255, Lt. Leah McCall at 828-482-2756 or Jackson County Sheriff’s department at 828-586-8901. All callers will remain anonymous.
- By Kaylee Cook