JONESBORO, Ark. — Two women are facing felony theft charges after police allege they worked together to steal over $1,000 worth of merchandise from a Jonesboro department store on Oct. 17.
Telyshia Sharyan Hill and Carolyn Jean Moore each face charges of organized retail theft and theft of property valued between $1,000 and $5,000, according to court records from their first appearance. Both offenses are classified as Class D felonies under Arkansas law.
According to probable cause affidavits signed by Detective Dustin Mitchell on Oct. 19, the incident unfolded when Carolyn Moore allegedly approached a cashier and asked for assistance in an aisle. During that time, Telyshia Hill is accused of pushing two shopping carts filled with merchandise past the checkout area without paying. The stolen goods were valued at $1,032.21.
Witnesses also reported that Hill attempted to load the merchandise into a Lincoln Navigator in the parking lot. However, the attempt was interrupted, and both women fled in the vehicle, according to police.
Law enforcement located the suspects shortly after, traveling in the same vehicle described by witnesses. The women matched descriptions provided at the scene and were taken into custody. During a probation search of the vehicle, officers reportedly found additional items believed to have been stolen from other businesses, though the affidavits did not include specific details about those items or their value.
After their arrest, bond for each woman was set at $15,000 cash or surety during a court appearance on Oct. 19. They are scheduled to appear in court again on Nov. 23 at 8:30 a.m. in Craighead County.
Police have not identified the department store involved in the incident. Details on the status of the additional merchandise allegedly found in the suspects' possession were not included in the affidavits.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.