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Highlands Today

AP Woman Charged With Felony Shoplifting

COPS: WHILE SHE WAS DOING BACK-TO-SCHOOL SHOPPING

Precious Elissia McGhee, 24

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By Joe  Seelig | Highlands Today

Published: August 14, 2008

SEBRING - An Avon Park woman remained in Highlands County Jail in lieu of $2,000 bond on Thursday, after she was arrested at the Belk Department Store, in the Lakeshore Mall.

She was charged with felony shoplifting because she has three prior convictions for the same offense.

Precious Elissia McGhee, 24, also known as "Blissia" of 2130 W. Argonaut Road, was charged with felony retail theft alone or coordinates with others, a third-degree felony.

McGhee reportedly was observed Tuesday afternoon placing articles of clothing into a Kmart bag at the Belk store. When she left the store, she was stopped by store security.

Her bag reportedly contained boys' pants at $14.99 each and a $35 shirt, coming to a total of $94.96 before tax.

McGhee told the investigating sheriff's deputy that she came to the store without money to steal clothing for her child who she was trying to get ready for school, the report stated.

"After I asked her if anyone had given her permission to have the clothes she responded by saying, 'What the hell kind of stupid question is that, of course not otherwise I would have left a long time ago,'" Deputy Kevin J. Ashley reported.

McGhee was convicted in 2004, 2005 and 2006 for petty theft. In 2004 she served two months in jail and probation. The probation was revoked and she got additional jail time.

In 2005 she served one month and was ordered to pay a fine, and in 2006 she served six months in jail.

Each arrest was accompanied with a suspension of her driver's license due to failure to pay fines, according to the Clerk of Courts office.

Assistant State Attorney Steve Houchin said Thursday that if convicted on the new charge, McGhee could face anything from probation to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Joe Seelig can be reached at 863- 386-5834 or jseelig@highlandstoday.com .

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