TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Two women were arrested on theft charges after they were accused of failing to pay for items they concealed in their purses while at Target.
Jodie L. Atkins, 25, of Havana, and Kaitlin M. Coyle, 24, of Tallahassee were arrested Tuesday and booked into the Leon County Detention Center.
Both women were charged with resisting an officer in recovery of stolen property and petit theft for the taking of property valued at more than $100 but less than $300.
Additionally, Atkins is charged with giving false identification to a law enforcement officer.
Coyle walked pass all cash registers at the Target on Apalachee Parkway without trying to pay for any items, according to a probable cause affidavit completed by a Tallahassee Police Department investigator.
The investigator spoke with a uniformed Target loss prevention person, who said he grabbed Coyle by the arms.
After Coyle fell while pulling away from him, the Target worker said, and tried to run away, he was able to get her into a holding cell.
Soon, after Atkins passed the cash registers without attempting to pay for any items, the Target Security man identified himself to her and, after she tried to run past him, pushed her into a holding cell.
Security footage showed Coyle leaving the store and other parts of the incident.
At the store, when the police investigator interviewed Atkins, she told him her name was "Julia Rae Atkins," her sister's name, but at the jail gave him her correct name, the court document said.
Atkins' purse had seven pieces of jewelry - fine rings, earrings, necklaces and a bracelet - valued at $113.94.
Coyle's purse had eight items valued at $126.10, including Huggies, a sweatshirt, an NFL t-shirt and sneakers.
Both women waived their Miranda Rights and told the investigator they did not intend to pay Target for the items.
Each woman sought the appointment of a public defender
Their vehicle was towed.
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