CRESTVIEW — A woman charged with retail theft and resisting a merchant in recovering stolen items has an April 8 plea date.
Melinda Jean Roderus, 32, of Baker, allegedly entered the Beall’s Outlet store on South Ferdon Boulevard and began putting merchandise in her purse, a loss prevention employee told a Crestview Police officer. She reportedly left the store without paying for the items.
The employee followed her outside, identified himself and asked her to return inside; instead, she ran to a green van, the report said. When the employee grabbed her by the shoulder, she kicked and flailed her arms, he said. He put her on the ground to protect himself.
An officer who inspected Roderus’ purse found several bottles of fragrances that amounted to a total of $19.74.
Video surveillance showed Roderus putting items in her purse and leaving the store without paying for them, according to the arrest report.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker woman faces plea date after alleged Beall's theft