Why Woman Was Barred from West Des Moines Retail Stores

A Des Moines woman has been barred for life from three West Des Moines clothing and department stores after retailers alleged she had been regularly stealing from their businesses and then selling the items through local consignment stores.

According to reports, Melissa Marie Watts, 37, was arrested earlier this month after Officer Dan Wade met with representatives of the and  stores, both in mall. She also has been implicated in similar thefts at in .

On the most recent occasion, police allege Watts stole items with a combined value of $152 from the two Jordan Creek retailers.

While she was being booked, her husband took custody of their 8-year-old child, who was with Watts when the acts allegedly occurred.