A Mississippi police officer was arrested for allegedly shoplifting a pair of sneakers at a Dick’s Sporting Goods while in uniform.
Robin Conner, 33, was busted for reportedly attempting to walk out of the store in a $140 pair of tennis shoes.
Conner, a now-fired Columbus officer, was arrested and charged with misdemeanor shoplifting.
On-duty cop arrested for shoplifting while in uniform: ‘It’s embarrassing for the department’ https://t.co/oc6tbvhcNg pic.twitter.com/Gm2Kceb71n
— New York Post (@nypost) February 23, 2024
“It’s embarrassing for the department, but we’re going to treat her like we would anybody else,” her police chief, Joseph Daughtry, reportedly said.
From the New York Post:
Daughtry said a store employee caught Conner trying to steal the shoes, and detained her before calling 911.
Told the officer was in uniform, dispatchers called a supervisor at Conner’s own precinct — with Chief Daughtry and his assistant chief responding along with the officer’s captain.
Conner’s colleagues then arrested her and brought her to the Lowndes County Adult Detention Center in her own patrol car, according to WTVA.
Conner was immediately placed on administrative leave, but the Columbus city council voted unanimously Thursday to fire her, after two years on the force, WTVA reports.
She is also charged with misdemeanor shoplifting for stealing goods worth less than $1,000 and was given an $862 surety bond, according to WCBI.
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After all, they're well trained and have the highest of moral standards.https://t.co/0LMLhJEJUL
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“We have a job to do, and we’re held to a higher standard. And the community is just starting to trust us, and to take this gut punch really hurts,” Daughtry said, according to the Daily Mail.
Daily Mail added:
Conner had recently shared a post to her Facebook account featuring selfies of her wearing her officer uniform with the caption ‘Happy National law enforcement day’ accompanied by three heart emojis.
People took to the comments following the news of her alleged shoplifting, with one user joking ‘I would have bought you them shoes.’
‘Wait, did you just get charged for shoplifting while on the clock, in uniform and in your patrol car? Such a disgrace to the badge,’ another user said.
The police officer has even used her personal Facebook account to share messages on behalf of the Columbus Police Department – including one that said: ‘Family and friends please stay at home off the roadways. It’s going to get worse and it’s going to turn into black ice tonight. Please and Thank you Columbus Police Department.’
She also used her Facebook page to share cocktail recipes, her extensive perfume collection and plenty of pictures of her on duty as a cop.