Police Detain Suspect in Von Maur Shoplifting at Perimeter Mall

Police from Chamblee responded to a shoplifting call at the Von Maur store in Perimeter Mall on April 2, 2022. Officers found a 20‑year‑old female suspect, her husband, and a small child in the parking lot. A store employee reported a second female suspect, and officers recovered stolen merchandise hidden under a white Dodge Journey.

Suspect Interrogation

The primary suspect told officers she was at the mall to buy shoes for her son’s second birthday and denied taking any items. She identified the second female as “Kia,” saying they met through Instagram, and admitted she was with Kia but claimed she did not steal anything herself. Police noted the suspect and her companion ducking between cars when officers arrived, and recorded her employment as a daycare worker and her claim that she could pay for the items.

Legal Processing

Officers explained the elements of shoplifting and the store’s right to press charges. The suspect received a lifetime trespass notice for Von Maur and was formally charged with theft by shoplifting. She was booked at DeKalb County Jail, and the male companion was instructed on the $500 bond process, including the option to pay 10 % to a bail bondsman. The suspect’s 2010 Chevy was noted for improper registration and an invalid temporary tag.

Mechanisms & Explanations

When a store chooses to press charges, police document the incident, issue a citation, and transport the suspect to jail for booking. After booking, a $500 bond can secure release, typically requiring 10 % payment to a bondsman, followed by fingerprinting and paperwork. Officers act as a “taxi‑cab service” for the store; if the store declines to press charges, police may only file a report or issue a citation without making an arrest.