Teens Stole More than $1,000 Worth of Merchandise, Deputies Say
The teens from Lutz and Odessa were found with items shoplifted from multiple Shops at Wiregrass stores.
Three teens faces shoplifting charges after deputies say they stole more than $1,000 worth of items from The Shops at Wiregrass Friday.
According to a Pasco County complaint affidavit, the teens, whose addresses are listed in Lutz and Odessa, were detained by a JC Penney's loss prevention officer on Friday night after they were seen concealing several items in their shopping bags and purses.
When a Pasco deputy responded to the scene, it was discovered that the teens also had taken items from Victoria's Secret, American Eagle, Forever 21, Pac Sun and Charlotte Russe, the report stated.
The combined value of the items taken from throughout the mall was about $1,372, according to the report.
The teens, ages 13 and 14, were arrested and charged with retail theft. They were transported to the Juvenile Assessment Center at the Land O' Lakes jail. Their names are being withheld by Patch because of their age.
Terri Dusek
12:46 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
They will get their hands slapped and most probably will have to write an apology letter. Then they will do it several more times. Each time the items will get bigger (more expensive) until finally, someone will most likely get hurt. I'm all for second chances but at some point there needs to be some really tough love brought back to our kids. It won't be easy but society needs to get back to using the tough love (things that are humiliating, embarrassing, one inch thick paddles with holes, a good swift kick in the butt, etc) so these kids WILL have a fighting chance someday. They aren't being taught that there are consequences for disrespectful and criminal behavior. It is truely sad and really not their fault. Society has failed miserably with our kids.