Felony shoplifter tells police ‘she liked the thrill’

Corbin/Whitley News Journal

Corbin Police arrested two women on a felony shoplifting charge after recovering $861 worth of clothing and other items from Belk last Thursday.

Clara M. Lunsford, 39, and Margaret Woods, 42, both of Elizabethtown, were arrested following a complaint from Belk loss prevention.

Official William Stewart stated in the arrest citation that he was called to the store at Trade Mart Shopping Center at the intersection of U.S. 25E and Master Street at approximately 8: 20 p.m. after loss prevention had reported two female shoplifters who had left the store in a Nissan Sentra.

“I was able to locate the vehicle pulling out of Trade Mart Shopping Center and perform a traffic stop,” Stewart stated.

Upon speaking with the three occupants, Stewart said Lunsford and Woods each admitted to shoplifting from Belk.

In addition, Stewart said he located a number of items from nearby JC Penney in the trunk. Woods claimed the items but was unable to provide a sales receipt.

“Ms. Woods had $120 in cash. I asked her why she didn’t just purchase some of the items. She reported she liked the thrill of shoplifting,” Stewart stated.

Stewart also reported finding marijuana inside Woods’ purse.

Lunsford and Woods each face one count of theft by unlawful taking – shoplifting – of the value of $500 or more but less than $10,000.

Under Kentucky law, the charge is a class D felony, carrying a potential prison sentence of one to five years.

In addition, Woods faces charges of theft by unlawful taking – shoplifting – of the value of less than $500, and possession of marijuana.

Lunsford and Woods were each lodged in the Knox County Detention Center.

The other woman in the vehicle was not charged.

Woods has been released on bond.

Lunsford is being held on a $5,000 cash bond.