Couple arrested after allegedly stealing from Racine County grocery stores to support heroin addiction

By: Stephanie Staudinger

Posted: Aug 2, 2018 4:03 PM CDT

RACINE COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Two people have been arrested after allegedly stealing from grocery stores in the Racine County area.

Melissa Kelly and Erin Staley, both from Palatine Illinois, are facing charges of Felony Retail Theft.

According to the criminal complaint, officers responded to a Pick 'n Save located at 2820 N. Green Bay Road for a shoplifting report.

Surveillance footage showed Kelly and Staley, both of whom loss prevention was familiar with, stealing roughly $756 worth of merchandise. It happened on May, 29.

Later that same day, officers were dispatched to another Pick 'n Save, located at 1202 N. Green Bay Road, for a shoplifting report. The suspects were detained after allegedly stealing over $500 worth of merchandise.

Upon arrival, officers located ten used hypodermic needles, a large kitchen spoon with residue on the top half and burn marks on the bottom half, and two crack pipes in Staley's purse.

Staley and Kelly allegedly told police that they planned to steal merchandise from Racine County stores to then sell to smaller stores in Chicago for money to support their heroin addiction.