Boozy Bust: Duo Allegedly Steals $13,000 in Liquor from OC Stores

A woman was behind bars today for allegedly stealing expensive alcohol valued at around $13,000 from four grocery stores in Irvine and Mission Viejo, along with an alleged accomplice.

Quinette Hall, 41, of Compton, was being held without bail, and her alleged partner in crime, 49-year-old Richard White of Inglewood, was released after posting bail Tuesday, according to jail records.

The two were arrested Sunday after security personnel at an Albertsons grocery store on Quail Hill Parkway summoned police, according to Farrah Emami of the Irvine Police Department.

The two allegedly went to the store about 9:40 a.m. and stole “high- end” alcohol, but left before police arrived, Emami said. Store employees gave police a description of the suspects.

A similar theft had been reported at another Albertsons store on Alton Parkway, Emami said. When the two returned to the store about 12:40 p.m. and allegedly attempted to filch more pricey booze, they were spotted by security, prompting the suspects to flee, she said.

Police arrested the suspects in the parking lot and found more than $1,400 worth of allegedly stolen alcohol in their vehicle, Emami said. Some of the bottles still had anti-theft caps on them, she said.

City News Service; Photo: Wikimedia Commons