Winter Haven woman, teen charged in all day shoplifting spree www.privateofficer.com

 

WINTER HAVEN Fla April 7 2012 

Winter Haven police arrested a Winter Haven women and a juvenile after police say they went on all-day stealing spree, including taking a Chihuahua puppy and a hamster.

Niccole Rae Ruston, 33, of 1800 Ave. Q, S.W. in Winter Haven, was arrested Saturday, along with a 13-year-old girl police are not naming, after police say they stole more than $3,000 from a number of Winter Haven-area stores.

Their spree was finally ended when a Belk’s employee witnessed them shoplifting $635 worth of merchandise from the store at 700 Third Street S.W., police said.

Police also found bags of other stolen goods from Macy’s, Pier 1 Imports, Walgreen’s and Hibbett Sports inside Ruston’s vehicle, police said.

The Chihuahua and hamster were reported missing after the arrests and were found at Ruston’s home, police said.

Ruston was charged with two counts of grand theft, four counts of petit theft, one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and one count of child abuse, police said. She was booked into the Polk County Jail.

The juvenile was charged with shoplifting and petit theft and taken to the Polk County Juvenile Assessment Center.

Source:theledger.com