Although the crime in general is a misdemeanor, when committed a third time it becomes a felony. Unfortunately for one Harrison County female that now means she is charged with a felony in the form of Shoplifting 3^rd Offense, according to Bridgeport PFC C.B. Sayers.

 

Sayers said that thanks to the help of the public, they were able to locate and charge Stacie L. Mclean, 41, of Clarksburg with the crime. The charge comes in connection with a shoplifting of jewelry at the United Hospital Center.

 

The actual incident took place in April, but with no luck in finding a suspect Sayers turned to the media, in particular social media. Sayers provided a surveillance photo and other information in June to Connect-Bridgeport hoping to get a break.

 

Sayers did. In fact, he got plenty of responses.

 

“In this case the information by the public came in almost immediately,” said Sayers. “It was extremely helpful and very much appreciated. It is a great example of how working together gets positive results.”

 

The felony means Mclean had two prior convictions for shoplifting, which is cause for the Bridgeport Police Department to charge here with the 3^rd offense. It is defined as a felony once that happens according to West Virginia State Code, Sayers said.

 

“I received numerous emails (and) voicemails giving me names they thought the person in the story was,” said Sayers. “It did not take long to get the right name. So overall not difficult at all.”

 

There was one difficult part. Sayers said he was unable to find the jewelry that was taken. He said her residence was searched, but the item(s) did not come up.

 

In June, Sayers indicated that the case wasn’t felony related. However, that changed when – as mentioned above – the suspect was found to already have the two prior convictions.