Dispute Over Merchandise Return Led to Robbery Charge

A woman trying to make a return on a purchase for which she did not have a receipt allegedly caused destruction in the store when they would not refund the money.

On June 17, a woman went into a Family Dollar Store in Lee County intending to return an item she reportedly purchased from them.

She went to the counter and let the clerk know what she wanted, and she was asked to present a receipt from the initial purchase. The woman said she did not have a receipt, so the employee denied her request for the return.

According to reports, the dissatisfied former customer allegedly knocked everything off the counter while taking a swipe at the glass barrier between herself and the cashier.

The woman left the establishment but reportedly immediately returned and continued her tirade. She allegedly entered the employees-only area and began throwing merchandise around before leaving the store again.

It was reported that she came back a third time, and she went behind the counter again. She allegedly took a couple of packs of cigarettes before heading out the door one final time.

The authorities were notified and collected the surveillance video from when the event transpired. When they viewed the footage, they reported that it depicted the events the way the employees described them. They were also able to get a description of the suspect.

The police searched the area and found someone nearby who looked like the person in the video. They believed she was the suspect they were looking for.

The woman was placed under arrest and booked into the Lee County Jail. She is facing preliminary charges of robbery without a firearm or weapon and was incarcerated in lieu of a $20,000 bond.

If you or someone you love is suspected of a theft offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.