Newport Woman Charged with Felony Shoplifting

A 34-year-old Newport woman was charged with felony shoplifting on Thursday after she allegedly stole a Philips Sound Shooter speaker and an Omron Series 7 blood pressure monitor from the CVS on Bellevue Avenue.

According to a police report, Oneka Michelle Ardrey, of 34 Jade Way, was seen on a security camera at the store as she collected the items and then concealed them in a bag she brought with her into the store.

She then left the store without paying, police said.

The incident occurred at around 12:38 p.m.

Store employees told police that they were able to identify Ardrey because she had filled a prescription before the alleged thefts.

An officer who responded reported that the video clearly showed Ardrey conceal the items in her bags before leaving.

Police responded to Ardrey’s residence where she told police that she did take the items off the shelves but didn’t steal them.

Ardrey reportedly urged police to search her house but “the house was in such disarray that a search was not possible,” the report stated.

Ardrey reportedly couldn’t keep her stories straight and eventually admitted to putting the speaker and monitor in her bag “but realized it was a bad idea because she was on probation for prior shoplifting charges.”

She claimed that she then put them on a shelf near some beach chairs on her way out.

A check with the store showed that there was nothing in that area.

Ardrey was taken into custody without incident and was held for arraignment Friday morning.