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Police: Women used pruning shears in shoplifting scheme

Posted at 5:46 PM, Oct 24, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-25 05:35:47-04

Two Boise women were arrested after police say they used pruning shears to remove electronic security labels from clothing items they reportedly stole from a major Meridian retailer.

Juliana Lupo, 28 (pictured, right), and Roxana Beck, 30, (left) each face felony burglary, criminal conspiracy and drug possession charges.

According to Meridian Police Department Deputy Chief Tracy Basterrechea, the two entered a retailer in the 2200 block of North Eagle Road on Saturday and stole several items of merchandise. The store’s loss prevention personnel notified police, but the two had left the scene by the time officers arrived.

Basterrechea said the two women then returned to the store on Sunday. “The loss prevention people identified them as being connected to the thefts from the previous day,” he stated.

Police were dispatched to the scene and interviewed the two. During the investigation, Basterrechea said, “officers found hand-held pruning shears in Lupo’s purse, which the two used to (allegedly) clip security tags off the items.”

Officers also say they found small amounts of substances that later tested positive for methamphetamines and marijuana in the suspects’ possession.

The investigation is ongoing.

“There may be more charges filed against the suspects,” Basterrechea said.

Both women were arraigned in Fourth District Court Monday. The Idaho Statesman reports a judge set Lupo’s bond at $10,000 and Beck’s bond at $5,000.

Their preliminary hearings are set for November 7th.