BEDFORD — A Bedford woman is facing a theft charge after store surveillance footage captured her reaching across the cashier counter to steal a security tag removal tool at a local retail store.
Angela M. Jewell, 28, was arrested on a warrant on August 11th on a charge of theft.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Bedford Police Sergeant Toby Gerkin, officers were dispatched to the Family Dollar located at 704 16th Street on May 27th, following a report of a theft that had occurred the previous evening.
A store employee showed Sergeant Gerkin surveillance video from May 26 showing two women, whom police recognized from prior encounters as one being Angela Jewell. On the recording, while the other woman walked around toward the cashier, Jewell was seen reaching over the counter, grabbing a specialized tool used to detach anti-theft security tags from merchandise, and concealing it inside her clothing.
Store staff estimated the value of the security tool at approximately $50.
Following his review of the security footage, Sergeant Gerkin located Jewell at her 23rd Street residence. After being informed of her rights, Jewell agreed to speak with police and admitted to taking the security tool from behind the counter.
According to court records, Jewell claimed she took the device at the other woman’s request, but stated she never turned it over to her and still had it in her possession. Jewell retrieved the tool and surrendered it to the officer, who later returned it to Family Dollar staff.
Sergeant Gerkin subsequently interviewed the other at her workplace. She denied taking any items without paying for them and denied asking Jewell to take the security tag tool, though she noted Jewell had made comments about obtaining something useful during their shopping trip.
Because store personnel could not verify whether additional merchandise had been taken during the visit, charges were requested specifically for the theft of the security tool.
The case was forwarded to the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office for review, and a warrant was issued for Jewell’s arrest.
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.
