The Christmas shopping season is underway, and with it came the Nov. 20 arrest of five people for attempting to steal $2,000 in merchandise from the Victoria’s Secret store at The Avenue in Peachtree City.
Clockwise from top left, Angel D. Jackson, Brittney E. O’Neal, Destiny P. Carby and Taneisha L. Pope. Photos/Fayette County Jail.
Charges relating to a city ordinance dealing with a fraudulent action to obtain something of value or to aid someone in doing so were brought against Taneisha L. Pope, 31, of Morrow, Angel D. Jackson, 19, of Atlanta, Destiny P. Carby, 18, of Villa Rica, Brittney E. O’Neal, 26, of Atlanta and a 13-year-old juvenile. O’Neal was also charged with felony possession of counterfeit money, according to Peachtree City Police Department spokesperson Odilia Bergh.
Bergh said the incident, reported at 6:45 p.m., unfolded when one of the parties attempted to distract employees while the others loaded approximately $2,000 in merchandise into bags.
The attempted distraction was not successful and officers were called, Bergh said, adding that the bags were dropped inside the store as the group fled.
Officers in the area spotted a vehicle and stopped it, while additional officers located other members of the group still on foot, said Bergh.
Asked why the parties were charged with the city ordinance violation rather than shoplifting, Bergh said when businesses hesitate to cooperate, law enforcement has to depend on this type of ordinance to address such a crime.
Bergh noted that some retailers are concerned about being sued civilly, resulting in a reluctance to prosecute shoplifting cases.
I’m sure that they stood out like a sore thumb in a Victoria Secret…they should have tried Good Will!
Everyone of them from out of the county. Do we really want public transportation coming into Fayette and bringing these type of people? I know…they were in a car. But thieves will rely more on public transportation than a car if they can because they can’t be tracked. And public transportation enables more of those who can least afford it to live here
Hey Flag,
Just an FYI but there are cameras installed at transit points as well as bus/trains. These cameras have been very helpful in catching and convicting low-life perps/scum.