Sarasota shoplifters arrested

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office arrested three suspects Tuesday who fled the Macy’s department store in Westfield Sarasota Square Saturday with nearly $4,500 in purses in their arms.

The shoplifting trio grabbed a total of 21 handbags and fled the store with loss-prevention officers in pursuit. As deputies responded to the scene, others were searching for the group’s black Chevy Impala sedan. Deputies intercepted the vehicle at Bee Ridge Road and Groveland Avenue and took all three into custody. The merchandise was also recovered.

The suspects, identified as Jasmine Hines, 21, Johneica Roberson, 23, and Samuel Williams, 48, were charged with one count each of grand theft and resisting detention in retail theft. Williams faces an additional charge for driving with a suspended driver’s license.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].