BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

SOUTH WILLIAMSON — An adult and juvenile from Hurley, Virginia, were charged for an alleged shoplifting spree at the Southside Mall in South Williamson.

Michelle Stiltner, 33, was arrested and charged with theft by unlawful taking or disposition and unlawful transaction with a minor by Kentucky State Police Trooper Brennan Eckhart on July 21.

KSP Post 09 in Pikeville received a complaint of multiple shoplifters at the mall.

Further investigation revealed the two allegedly stole merchandise from Hibbett Sports, the Label Shopper and Rue 21. Store clerks reported seeing the two suspects with various items in bags leaving the businesses. The two were then seen leaving the mall in a Toyota Rav-4 with Virginia license plates.

A short time later, the KSP was called to the nearby Walmart, where the store’s loss prevention department had detained the juvenile. The juvenile admitted to Trooper Eckhart that the two had shoplifted at the South Side Mall.

Stiltner’s vehicle was in the Walmart parking lot, but she denied being with the juvenile.

Officers found approximately 40 items in the SUV, including clothing, makeup, flashlights, purses and other items reported stolen.

Stiltner was booked and lodged at the Pike County Detention Center.