A 38-year-old Waldoboro woman faces felony theft charges after allegedly shoplifting more than $6,000 of cosmetics, toys, and many other items from Lincoln County stores.
Karena S. Parker faces two counts of class C theft by unauthorized taking or transfer and one count of class C violation of condition of release, all felonies; and one count each of class D and E theft by unauthorized taking or transfer, both misdemeanors.
Damariscotta Police Department Officer Kyle Sylvester arrested Parker Sept. 14 for allegedly stealing $2,012.34 in merchandise from Renys Underground in Damariscotta.
Parker brought bags into the store and loaded her bags, as well as two shopping carts, with merchandise before exiting the store, according to Damariscotta Police Chief Ron Young.
The merchandise included office supplies, paper dishware, towels and wash cloths, and many toys and craft items, as well as two sets of toilet brushes and plungers.
During the arrest, Sylvester noticed that Parker was also in possession of “a lot of merchandise from Rite-Aid,” Young said.
The Rite-Aid items were mostly cosmetic items like makeup and nail polish, as well as a variety pack of candy bars, with a total value of $2,357.19.
Sylvester arrested Parker on the class C theft charges. The charges are class C felonies because the value of the items in each case exceeds $1,000.
Parker was free on bail by Sept. 16, when she allegedly stole about 30 items from Family Dollar in Waldoboro, according to Waldoboro Police Chief Bill Labombarde. The items included a cooler and hair products with a total value of more than $50.
Parker faces a class E theft charge and a violation of condition of release charge in the Waldoboro matter.
On Thursday, Oct. 8, Parker was back in Damariscotta. Young received a shoplifting complaint from Hannaford Supermarket that day.
Once again, Parker had allegedly brought bags into the store, filled the bags and a shopping cart, and exited the store, according to Young. The Hannaford items totaled $759 and included many cosmetic items, as well as more toilet brushes.
Young arrested Parker on the class C violation of condition of release and class D theft by unauthorized taking charges.
Parker was cooperative, although she did not offer much in the way of explanation or remorse, according to Young. At the time of the Sept. 14 and Oct. 8 arrests, she simply told police she “needed some stuff,” Young said.
Parker could also face charges in Knox County after an incident at Renys in Camden Oct. 2.
Parker allegedly attempted to steal children’s clothes, coloring books, craft materials, household goods, and toys with a total value of $920.73, according to Camden Police Department Officer Timothy Davis. She was stopped by management.
The Camden Police Department was later able to identify the woman as Parker with help from the Damariscotta Police Department, according to Davis. She has not been charged yet, although police are continuing to investigate and anticipate charges.
As of Wednesday, Oct. 14, Parker remains in custody at Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset, according to jail personnel. Bail was set at $560 cash. Parker would remain under the supervision of Maine Pretrial Services if she makes bail.
Parker was in the news earlier this year when she reported that she and her son had been kidnapped from Waldoboro the night of Feb. 25 and brought to Augusta, where she reported the kidnapping early Feb. 26.
The Augusta Police Department, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, and Waldoboro Police Department investigated. “We were unable to confirm or deny that what she said was accurate,” Labombarde said Oct. 14.