Woman arrested for shoplifting with her kids | Crime

A Jonesboro woman was arrested Monday, February 11, after police said she and her young children, ranging in age from 6 to 15, were caught on store surveillance video shoplifting. 

Around 5:30 p.m. Officer Michael McCanless was dispatched to Sears, 1901 S. Caraway, in reference to two juvenile shoplifters in custody.

When McCanless arrived at the store, two other children were also in custody.

According to his initial police report, the store's loss prevention manager and an off-duty Jonesboro police detective observed the children “taking various merchandise and concealing it on their persons.”

The children's mother, 29-year-old Latoya C. McKeown, was located using the store's surveillance video.  According to Officer McCanless, the video also showed McKeown and her friend, 47-year-old Kevin Stevens of West Memphis, shoplifting several items.

Although several empty boxes were discovered during the investigation, Officer McCanless reported only a portion of the stolen merchandise was found.  It’s believed the suspects “ditched” the items.

Investigators were able to recover 6 pairs of earrings, valued at $174.99; a cubic zirconian ring, valued at $119; and a $30 Hello Kitty watch.

McKeown and Stevens, as well as a 15-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy were taken into police custody on suspicion of shoplifting.  The children were taken to the Craighead County Juvenile Detention Center. 

Two other children, ages 6 and 8, were not charged.  They and two other children who were not involved in the shoplifting, were released into the custody of McKeown’s brother.

McKeown and Stevens were taken to the Craighead County Detention Center.  McKeown was cited for shoplifting and given a $770 cash bond.

During the investigation it was learned Stevens was wanted in West Memphis on a felony warrant for burglary.  He’s being held at the CCDC on a $770 cash bond for shoplifting and a felony hold for West Memphis.