Woman’s “Friend Stole More” Defense Not Accepted

WAKEFIELD – A North Kingstown woman pleaded no contest to felony shoplifting charges in Washington County Superior Court after initially trying to claim that it was OK because her friend stole more.

Julie Mathers, 36, of 84 Birchwood Drive, North Kingstown, pleaded no contest on March 14 to a North Kingstown police charge of felony shoplifting. The charge stems from an arrest in December.

Superior Court Associate Justice Jeffrey Lanphear ordered Mathers to complete 50 hours community service and to pay $270 in assessments. Any further sentence was deferred, depending on Mathers’ compliance with her community service and court costs.

According to included in court files, they were called to Kohl’s after store security claimed Mathers was shoplifting. Police said at first, they calmly interviewed Mathers about the merchandise she admitted to stealing, which employees valued at $1,001.06.

According to police, Mathers said she “knows stealing the stuff was wrong but she’s not a bad person.” She added that her friend Tanya stole more than she did.

Police said that when Mathers was arrested, and as she was brought from the security office and out into the store again, her demeanor changed.

According to police, Mathers called the arresting officer a “punk with a badge.” Police said she told the people watching her being taken away, “See how the North Kingstown police treat people?”

Police said Mathers’ shoplifting and subsequent behavior was recorded by store surveillance cameras.