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Police: Shoplifter trapped in store after closing calls 911

Posted at 11:59 AM, Apr 06, 2017
and last updated 2017-04-06 14:59:36-04

KENT, Ohio (AP) - Ohio police say a suspected shoplifter called 911 for help after she hid in a fitting room at closing time and got locked inside a department store.

Brimfield Township police say surveillance video from the incident at a Kohl's store late last month shows her taking clothing items, then realizing she's trapped in the store near Kent, roughly 35 miles southeast of Cleveland. Police say officers already were heading to the store when she called 911 because she set off alarms.

WJW-TV reports 35-year-old Joanne Havens told police she heard the store-closing announcements and simply didn't leave in time.

But officers say they found stolen items in her purse.

The Ravenna, Ohio, resident pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor theft charge. Court records listed no attorney for her.