A woman was jailed after an alleged shoplifting spree with juveniles at two stores in The Villages.
Samantha Suzanne Saarela, 37, of Ocala, had been captured on video surveillance Saturday afternoon apparently coaching the juveniles in the theft of perfume from Belk at La Plaza Grande, according to an arrest report from the Lady Lake Police Department. She had concealed in her purse a $130 bottle of Coco Chanel and a $96 bottle of Euphoria, as well as cosmetics.
The native Texan was stopped by police outside on the sidewalk. She admitted she had done wrong and handed over her purse.
Video surveillance showed Saarela pointing at the bottle of Euphoria, which was then picked up by one of the juveniles who also removed the sensor tag. Saarela put the bottle into her purse, along with the cosmetics, which had been handed to her by the juveniles.
Saarela also admitted accompanying the juveniles into Bath & Body Works and stealing several items. That merchandise was recovered and returned to the store.
She was arrested on a charge of retail theft and booked at the Lake County Jail. Bond was set at $2,000.
