A woman in Seattle has been accused of multiple incidents of shoplifting from the same store. The store claims that one woman cost them thousands of dollars in stolen and damaged merchandise as well as in work hours dedicated to dealing with her. The store claims that they've caught the woman shoplifting on multiple occasions in 2012. The store also claims that she has shoplifted numerous times in 2013, although they failed to catch her.

The woman has been banned from the store several times. Less than a week before her most recent arrest, the store says that she stole about $300 in North Face items. According to the store, the security staff tried to stop her apprehend her but failed. The woman was arrested in late December on suspicion of trying to steal gloves worth $95. She allegedly said that, after her arrest, she would come back to the store and steal every day.

Normally, the woman would face misdemeanor shoplifting charges, but Seattle police have recommended that she be charged with felony burglary instead. According to the store's security staff, the woman was aware that the store had banned her and said that she didn't care and would continue to come back.

The woman would not face such serious charges if she was not accused of being a chronic shoplifter. It's not clear what evidence the police have that prove that she frequently took from the store. For example, the store staff claim that she shoplifted repeatedly in 2013 without getting caught; it's not clear if they have any evidence to back that claim up. A defense lawyer would like focus on helping the woman avoid the more serious felony charge.

Source: KOMO News , "Police: Chronic shoplifter could now face felony charges", Michael Harthorne, December 23, 2013