Police said a Cleveland, Tn., woman who has been caught shoplifting at Walmart 31 times was most recently nabbed stealing from the J.C. Penney at Hamilton Place.
Lorraine Kennedy, 53, of 260 Gaut St., is facing a number of charges. She was taken to jail from Hamilton Place after it was learned she had numerous warrants.
Police on Sept. 27 responded to the Walmart on Gunbarrel Road after store officials said four women were running out of the store with stolen merchandise.
An officer spotted four black females running from the store. He yelled repeatedly for them to halt, but they kept going.
The officer said he caught up with Judy Parks, who continued to resist his efforts to apprehend her in front of a growing crowd of people. He was finally able to detain Ms. Parks and a teen, who later admitted she had taken part in the shoplifting. The juvenile said she held several packages for the other women. The teen was later released after her father picked her up.
The officer said Lorraine Kennedy and Sinerta Blair headed for Ms. Kennedy's car and sped away in it. He said Ms. Kennedy almost hit one shopper and then almost struck a vehicle. He was able to get the tag number and it came back to Ms. Kennedy.
Ms. Parks, of 3009 E. 26th St., was found to have all the stolen merchandise on her - $129 worth.
Police said Ms. Parks had been caught shoplifting three times before and was banned from all Walmarts.
Ms. Kennedy also was trespassed from all Walmarts after her long history of stealing from them.
Ms. Parks was charged with burglary, evading arrest, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. She pleaded guilty and was given a suspended sentence of 11 months and 29 days. She was directed to do 10 days of public works picking up trash. She is banned from Walmarts.
Ms. Blair, 43, was charged with theft, felony evading arrest, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and disorderly conduct.
Warrants were taken against Ms. Kennedy for burglary, felony evading arrest, reckless driving, driving on a revoked license, not having insurance, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and disorderly conduct.
Ms. Kennedy is due to appear before General Sessions Court Judge Lila Statom next Thursday.