Woman who binge-shoplifted in three Chalmette stores caught while trying to make it four: $393 of stolen items recovered; Also, couple arrested in a burglary where a credit card was stolen and used

Amanda Chanson, caught after 4-store shoplifting binge in Chalmette

Crystal Nunez, booked with burglary in Violet

A Violet woman who binge-shoplifted Monday, June 10, from three stores in the same Chalmette shopping center was caught by a sheriff’s deputy while trying to make it four, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Amanda Chanson, 33, 1954 Licciardi Lane, was booked with theft of goods from four stores and is being held in St. Bernard Parish Prison in lieu of $10,000 bond.

Stolen items worth a total of $393 were recovered from four stores.

Dep. Gary Noriea, sent to 8400 West Judge Judge Drive to investigate reported shoplifted about 2 p.m., found Chanson, fitting the description of the reported shoplifter. She was in a dollar store, sitting on the floor and placing an opened pack of cigarette lighters in her purse, the sheriff said.

The woman also had a white plastic bag with items inside, all in a large purse, a sheriff’s report of the incident said.

When she gave consent to a search of the bag, the deputy found numerous things from three other stores located in the same shopping center, mostly jewelry and clothing items.

When asked about receipts, Chanson said she had none and admitted she stole the items, the sheriff said.

Officials at three other stores in the same shopping center said the same woman was seen in their stores concealing items and one had called the Sheriff’s Office.

In an unrelated matter, a Violet couple was booked June 4 with unauthorized use of a credit card taken in a recent vehicle burglary and the woman was also booked with that burglary, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

Crystal Nunez, 31, and Ralph Topey, 31, both of 2325 General Pershing Drive, were arrested after admitting their involvement after an investigation by Det. Sgt. Donald Johnson.

They were together May 18 when Nunez entered an unlocked vehicle in Violet and took a credit card from a wallet inside, the sheriff said.

Then they both tried to use the stolen credit card the same day at a gas station where they met a man who agreed to give them cash if they used the card to buy gasoline for him. But the card wasn’t accepted at the pump and they left after Nunez argued with an employee about the card not working.

Also on May 18, the stolen card was accepted at a different gasoline station pump and was used to buy $60 of gas.

Nunez, booked with burglary and unauthorized use of an access card, is jailed in lieu of $12,000 bond. Topey, booked on the access card count, has been released on $10,000 bond.