Sault police arrest woman wanted in string of shoplifting, robbery incidents

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Sault Ste. Marie police arrested a wanted woman Saturday in connection with five shoplifting incidents over the last month, some of which escalated into violence.

The first incident happened at a Churchill Boulevard business May 7 where the woman is accused of stealing more than $250 worth of items.

An arrest warrant was issued for the 26-year-old, Sault Ste. Marie Police Service said in a news release Monday.

Around 1 p.m. May 12, a 911 call reported shoplifting at a business on Great Northern Road.

“An investigation revealed the accused had attempted to steal more than $1,200 in items but surrendered all of the items when confronted by a security officer,” police said.

“Another warrant was obtained for their arrest.”

A third arrest warrant was issued for her after shoplifting escalated into a robbery on the same block shortly before 8 p.m. May 16.

“An investigation revealed the accused had stolen more than $400 of items and pushed an employee when they were leaving the business with the stolen items,” police said.

Theft from a retail store is called shoplifting, but when force or threat of force is used, the crime is considered robbery.

Penalties for theft under $5,000 include a fine of up to $5,000 or up to two years in jail.

While robbery is considered a more serious charge, there is no mandatory minimum sentence unless a firearm is used, which comes with five years imprisonment on first conviction. The maximum sentence is life in prison.

A fourth incident happened May 30 when police received an online report about $160 in merchandise being stolen from a Churchill Boulevard store in the 100 block.

Finally, when officers were dispatched to another robbery at a Great Northern Road business in the 0-100 block around 1:15 p.m. June 14, they arrived in time to see the suspect push a security guard.

She was taken into custody and arrested for the four previous warrants despite giving police a fake name.

“An investigation revealed the accused had stolen more than $300 in items from the business and assaulted a security officer when confronted by pushing and biting them,” police said.

“The victim sustained minor physical injuries and was transported to hospital for treatment.”

The woman, who is on probation, is charged with two counts of robbery, three counts of theft, obstructing a peace officer, failing to comply with release and probation orders, failing to attend court, and failing to comply with an undertaking.

She is being held in custody following a bail hearing.