A Mississippi police officer was arrested by a colleague and taken into custody in his patrol car after he was accused of shoplifting sneakers while in uniform while on duty.
Now-fired Columbus police officer Robin Conner, 33, was arrested Wednesday after an employee stopped her at Dick’s Sporting Goods store after she came out wearing $140 tennis shoes, Police Chief Joseph said.・Mr. Daughtry said. told Columbus News Agency.
“We’re going to put her in jail,” the chief said. He was one of the uniformed police officers who responded to the arrest.
“It’s embarrassing for the department, but we’re going to treat her like anyone else.”
A store employee caught Connor as he tried to steal the shoes and restrained him before calling 911, Daughtry said.
When the dispatcher was told that the officer was in uniform, he called the Conner Police Department supervisor, and Chief Daughtry and a deputy responded along with the police captain.
Conner’s co-workers then arrested her and took her to the Lowndes County Adult Detention Center in their 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 job. WTVA reported.
She was also charged with misdemeanor shoplifting, stealing merchandise valued at less than $1,000, and was given an $862 bond. According to WCBI.
“We have a job to do and higher standards are expected of us,” Daughtry told a local news station.
“And the community is just starting to trust us, and it really hurts to take this gut punch.
“That’s why we fulfilled our obligations not only to our stores but also to our communities.”
It is unclear whether the fired police officer has a lawyer who can speak on his behalf.
