Six-Time Convicted Thief Busted By Richfield Police For Shoplifting, Drug Possession

An Eagan woman has been charged with stealing more than $1,400 worth of merchandise from Target in Richfield, and having 64 oxycodone tablets in her possession when she was arrested.

Paige LaVonne Jones-Smith, also known as Paige LaVonne Cox, 25, is charged with two felonies: fifth-degree drug possession, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine, and theft, which has a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

The drug possession charge has a mandatory minimum penalty of six months in prison.

According to the criminal complaint, signed by Richfield Police Officer Ronald Dox, loss prevention employees at Target reported that Jones-Smith had come into the store with her daughter, took a shopping cart and filled it with items, putting some of them inside a reusable shopping bag.

Jones-Smith then pushed the cart past the checkout lanes and left the store without paying for any of the merchandise, which totaled $1,471, according to the complaint.

The theft was captured on surveillance video, and Jones-Smith was detained. She admitted to stealing the items, the complaint states.

Police searched Jones-Smith’s car and found an unmarked prescription bottle and a plastic bag containing a total of 64 oxycodone pills, according to the complaint.

Jones-Smith’s criminal record includes convictions for theft in 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011 and twice in 2012. She also has convictions for drug possession in 2008 and receiving stolen property in 2010.

Jones-Smith has been released from custody on a $5,000 bond. An omnibus hearing in her case is scheduled Nov. 8 in Hennepin County District Court.

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