Ruth Lezett Jackson, 40, of Brandywine. (Arrest photo)
LA PLATA, Md.—Charles County Sheriff's officers have arrested Ruth Lezett Jackson, 40, of Brandywine, in connection with theft after she used stolen credit cards to purchase expensive make-up and an iPod.
On Oct. 10 at approximately 3 p.m., Jackson was at a hair salon inside a department store at the St. Charles Towne Center when she allegedly stole a wallet from another customer's purse. The customer did not realize her wallet had been stolen until she went to pay for her haircut. When she realized her wallet was missing, she alerted the hair salon's employees. At the same time, Jackson was already using one of the victim's credit cards at the store's make-up counter. When the employees at the make-up counter asked for ID, Jackson handed them the victim's driver's license but tactfully covered the victim's photo with her thumb to mask the fact that it was not her. She completed the transaction and left the store. By then, the store's loss prevention personnel were called and a lookout was broadcast. Charles County Sheriff's officers were notified and responded.
After a quick interview with store employees and a few records checks, CCSO officers identified Jackson as the suspect. As they began looking for her, officers received a call from a loss prevention employee at a different department store who was aware of the lookout. The employee advised officers that Jackson had just purchased an iPod and was attempting to leave the store. Officers located Jackson as she was walking out. They found one of the victim's credit cards on her and a receipt indicating she had just purchased a 32GB iPod Touch valued at $299.00 with the victim's credit card.
Jackson was placed under arrest and transported to the Charles County Detention Center where a female correctional officer found three of the victim's credit cards and the victim's driver's license hidden in Jackson's underwear. Jackson was charged with theft.
Source: CCSO