A trio of known shoplifters in the Mississippi Pine Belt have been taken into custody for repeat offenses.
On Thursday, deputies with the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Dollar General located at 181 South Frontage Road in Columbus regarding three suspects who were caught stealing by a store employee.
The complainant advised 911 that she knew all three by name and knew the suspects as notorious shoplifters. While officers were en route to the store, the suspects, Antonio Conner, Patricia Moody, and Emma Moody, fled the scene, but the unidentified employee gave police a description of their vehicle.
Deputies later spotted the automobile and conducted a traffic stop at River Hill Chevron on Main Street. The complainant gave a description of the products taken and the items were found in the vehicle with the suspects.
Conner and Patricia Moody were charged with felony shoplifting. Emma Moody was arrested for driving without a driver’s license. Both Antonio and Patricia were given a $25,000.00 bond for the felony shoplifting but both have a hold for probation violation.
All three suspects have a lengthy criminal rap sheet.
“Everyone knows that it’s not right to steal, these three just didn’t care. Surprisingly, they have been arrested so many times for shoplifting and avoided prison,” Sheriff Eddie Hawkins said. “Shoplifting affects everyone. At some point, these three have to realize that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated and they need to give up their practice of stealing. We look forward to holding them accountable.”
Antonio Conner has been booked into the Lowndes County Adult Detention Center on a total of 73 different charges — 62 previous misdemeanor charges and 11 previous felony charges. 15 of the previous charges were for different shoplifting offenses.
Patricia Moody has been booked into the Lowndes County Adult Detention Center on a total of 54 different charges — 38 previous misdemeanor charges and 16 previous felony charges. 20 of the previous charges were for different shoplifting offenses.
Emma Conner has been booked into the LCADC on a total of 53 different charges — 41 previous misdemeanor charges and 12 previous felony charges. Only one of the previous charges was for shoplifting.
