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ST. GEORGE — An Idaho couple's alleged theft spree was cut short after a store employee at the mall became suspicious when one of the suspects was pushing an empty stroller while wearing merchandise she never paid for.
Officers responded shortly after 7 p.m. Monday to the Red Cliffs Mall following the report of a suspicious person at one of the stores.
According to charging documents filed with the court, officers arrived and spoke to one of the store employees who told police there was a suspicious woman with red hair who was "possibly stealing clothing" and pushing a baby stroller, the officer noted in the report.
The staff told officers the suspect "had a baby stroller with her but there did not appear to be a baby inside." The woman was seen carrying new clothing into the dressing room, but when she exited, she was wearing different outfits.
Officers spotted a woman, whose description matched the suspect, near the checkout counter and whose transaction was later declined for insufficient funds.
She was identified as Tawny Raelynn Rodden, 44, of Idaho, and reportedly admitted to stealing merchandise from the Buckle store. She said she was "currently wearing the stolen property," the officer noted. She also said she had a friend with her, and admitted the stroller was empty.
Officers also learned that Rodden was at the mall with what the suspect said was a group of individuals who had planned to steal from multiple stores, the report alleges.
