Female Shoplifter Caught with $900 in Sunglasses

WAUWATOSA -- A Milwaukee woman has been arrested and charged with theft after authorities discovered she tried stealing almost $900 in sunglasses from Boston Store in Mayfair Mall.

Shanda Smith, 49, faces up to 18 months behind bars or up to a $10,000 fine, or both if she is convicted.

According to her criminal complaint, a loss prevention officer observed a female, later identified as Smith, selecting numerous pairs of sunglasses at Boston Store on Sept. 8.

Police say Smith walked into the fitting room with the sunglasses, and after she left the fitting room, she no longer had the merchandise visible.

After a check of the fitting rooms revealed that the merchandise wasn't there either, Smith was seen carrying a large purse.

According to her complaint, the loss prevention officer approached Smith, and she was escorted to the store's security office. It was at the office that authorities learned that Smith concealed 9 pairs of sunglasses in her purse.

Together, the sunglasses were valued at $897.50. Smith is currently being held in the Milwaukee County Jail on a $250 cash bond.