Deputies in St. Johns County arrested a woman they said stole hundreds of dollars’ worth of merchandise from a boutique.
On Tuesday, 52-year-old Debra Riggs was arrested and charged with grand theft.
Action News Jax spoke with Riggs over the phone who said it was a poor mistake and admitted that she was at fault.
Debra Riggs, 52, is facing a felony grand theft charge. We found she was also arrested last month in Duval County for shoplifting. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/d4T1w1VVLZ
— Christy Turner (@ChristyANJax) July 26, 2018
On Monday, deputies responded to the Pink Nickel boutique to investigate the theft.
Detectives said surveillance video showed the suspect shuffling through the clothing rack and eventually cramming items into a large bag.
“It was a poor mistake.” The woman who deputies say was caught on camera stealing from a Fruit Cove boutique tells me it was an accident. I’ll have a live report at 10 on FOX30 @ActionNewsJax. pic.twitter.com/3uXcV6pO9U
— Christy Turner (@ChristyANJax) July 26, 2018
The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office said they were able to identify the woman in the video thanks to tips from social media.
Angela Widener, the owner of the boutique, said she received a call from Riggs Tuesday. She said Riggs told her that it was an accident and begged her not to get law enforcement involved.
‘She’s like ‘can you please just meet me and grab these clothes from me. I didn't mean to take them.’” Widener said.
When Riggs dropped the items off at a nearby store, deputies were waiting for her.
Widener said she believes Riggs intended to resell the stolen items at her booth she has at an antique mall in Fernandina Beach.
“I think the items that she’s stealing, she’s selling them. So turning around and selling the product that’s she’s stolen. That’s just me assuming,” Widener said.
Riggs denied those claims.
She was released from jail after posting her $2,500 bond.
Cox Media Group
