Women charged in Clifton Park department store theft

PHOTOGRAPHER: Shutterstock Image

Jessica Miller, left, and Lacresia James, right

CLIFTON PARK — Two women stole more than $1,000 worth of merchandise Monday from two town department stores, state police said.

Troopers arrested the pair in a traffic stop shortly after one of the thefts and found two children unbelted in their back seat, police said.

Troopers were called to the Clifton Park Boscov’s Monday for a report of a theft in progress, state police spokesman Trooper Mark Cepiel said. The store’s asset protection employees confronted the two women, who fled.

The employees, however, relayed information on the get-away car to state police and troopers soon spotted them and pulled them over, Cepiel said. In addition to the unrestrained children, troopers also spotted in plain view jewelry, clothing and other items taken from the store valued at $1,345, they said. Troopers also found other items believed to have been taken from the Clifton Park JCPenney.

State police identified the women charged as Jessica M. Miller, 26, of Troy, and Lacresia James, 30, of New York City. Miller is also identified in a state police arrest log as from Halfmoon. They face one count each of fourth-degree grand larceny, a felony, and possession of burglar tools, a misdemeanor. Miller also faces one count of endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor.

Miller and James were issued tickets and released to appear in court later.