RAINELLE, W. Va (WVVA)-- Police in Rainelle cracked down on shoplifting Tuesday in a roundup.
Four people out of the seven police were looking for were arrested Tuesday, each on shoplifting or related charges. Police expect about twenty more arrests to follow the rest of the week.
According to police, two of the four suspects were released after their arrest on Tuesday: Alexia Rambo was charged with two counts of shoplifting and one of conspiracy, and Cody Hugert was charged with conspiracy. A judge gave Rambo five days in jail plus fines, and Hugert fifteen days plus fines.
Alexia Rambo told WVVA, "People are probably going to think that because of this, I'm a bad person...I'm a good person, I just got caught up in a mess for a minute."
Police said the other two suspects face 30 days in jail plus fines of $1200 each. The first, Crystal Grimmett, was charged with two counts of shoplifting, two counts of conspiracy, and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The second suspect, William Jack Lively, was charged with one count of shoplifting, two counts of conspiracy, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Both started their thirty-day jail sentence Tuesday evening. Police believe the two brought a child into the store with them as they committed the alleged crime.
Chief J.P. Stevens of the Rainelle Police Department said there have been numerous alleged shoplifting cases in Rainelle lately-- more than usual. He indicates much of this can stem from a larger problem.
"People are spending their money on drugs," he said, "running out of food."
He says local convenience stores are hit the hardest.
"They're going in our Go Mart, it gets hit constantly," said Stevens. "All of our business owners are upset right now. They're wanting law enforcement to really crack down on these [people.]"
