Two Ripley Women Charged with Shoplifting More Than $800 Worth of Merchendise
DOWNTOWN JACKSON — Jackson police have charged two Ripley women with shoplifting over $800 worth of merchandise from Belk and seized an SUV in an ongoing theft investigation. Kelly Midkiff, 40, and Dawanda Pickett, 45, were both arraigned Monday morning in Jackson City Court for felony theft. Their bonds were set at $10,000 each. Midkiff has been released on bond and Pickett remains in custody at the Madison County Jail in lieu of bond. Their next scheduled court date is at 9:30 a.m. on May 8 in Jackson City Court. Around 2:40 p.m. Saturday, Jackson police were called to Belk, at 2021 North Highland Avenue. Loss prevention personnel had observed Midkiff and Pickett conceal several items of merchandise and leave the store without paying. They were stopped on the parking lot by loss prevention and detained until officers arrived. The total value of property taken was $878.94. Midkiff and Pickett were both arrested and transported to the Madison County Jail. Officers found Midkiff’s 2005 Chevy Trailblazer on the parking lot. Officers noticed that there appeared to be stolen merchandise from Kirkland’s, J.C. Penny and Kohl’s inside the SUV. Police seized the SUV pursuant to the law that allows the seizure of a vehicle used to transport stolen property. The investigation into the other thefts is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Jackson Police Department’s Organized Crime Unit at 731-425-8400 or Crime Stoppers at 731-424-8477 (TIPS). Submit a cyber tip at jmcrimestoppers.org and click on “web tips”.
