BEDFORD — A Bedford woman is facing criminal charges after a bizarre series of events on December 22, 2025 resulted in the theft of household items and damage to a neighbor’s property.
Shannon Rishforth, 48, has been cited for theft (less than $750) and criminal mischief following an investigation by the Bedford Police Department.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Officer Derek Blackwell, the incident began around 9:30 a.m. in the 1700 block of M Street. The female victim reported that she had briefly stepped inside her home to attend to her dog, leaving a newly acquired queen-sized white comforter on her front porch.
When the female returned minutes later, the $100 comforter was gone. In its place, she discovered a broken glass littered the porch, and various objects had been damaged. One item had been thrown against her front door with enough force to leave visible scuffs on the wood.
The theft was reportedly witnessed in real-time. The victim’s daughter told police she was walking toward her mother’s house while on the phone with her when she spotted a woman, later identified as Rishforth, stuffing the white comforter into a trash can near the street.
The female informed officers that Rishforth was “yelling unintelligible statements” before retreating into her own residence at 1726 M Street.
Officer Blackwell located Rishforth at her home shortly after the report. According to the affidavit, Rishforth appeared to be suffering from a manic state. She allegedly told the officer she believed she was being followed by an unknown male who was “harming children,” and she claimed the comforter was somehow connected to those beliefs.
Rishforth admitted to the police that she took the item and placed it in the trash can.
Following the investigation, police issued a no-trespass order to Rishforth, legally barring her from entering the victim’s property.
Officer Blackwell requested that an arrest warrant be issued for the theft and mischief charges. Rishforth was detained on February 3.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the probable cause affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
