Pittsfield Woman Charged with Theft at Bed Bath and Beyond

Police arrested a woman last week on a theft charge after allegedly catching her with reportedly stolen items in the parking lot of the Bed Bath and Beyond on Loudon Road.

Kristen MacRae, 21, of Pittsfield, was arrested at 10:40 a.m. on Jan. 30, on a theft charge.

According to a Concord Police arrest report, officers were called to store for a report of a theft in progress.

Dispatch advised the officers that two women were in the store allegedly shoplifting while allegedly texting with third woman who was standing next to a Toyota Corolla outside the store.

When officers arrived at the store’s parking lot, the reporting officer allegedly observed two women “bent over inside the left and rear doors of the Corolla” with “a young toddler seated in a car seat.” One officer stayed with the vehicle while another went in to talk to the store manager.

The officer who went into the store spoke with the store manager who reportedly confirmed that the women outside were the alleged shoplifters.

The store manager alleged that the women entered the store, took a bunch of applications, and then went to customer service for a return. One of the women allegedly attempted to make a return but didn’t have a receipt. However, she allegedly claimed she bought an item from the store. The store manager alleged that the women then started walking around the store.

In the meantime, another store employee reportedly recognized the women and alleged that they had been in the store before and “acted strangely.”

One of the women, later identified as MacRae, allegedly had a large black bag that appeared to be empty but as she walked around the store, the bag allegedly “got bigger in size.” The store employee alleged that he saw MacRae place a bath towel in her purse and later leave the store without paying for it.

The other officer reported speaking with the women at the vehicle noting that they were “clearly extremely nervous at my presence.” The second officer said that one of the women allegedly stated that all the items in the car had been paid for and that she had a receipt. The officers spoke to each other via radio and the officer at the car was told about the black bag was allegedly involved in the incident.

The officer outside reportedly asked MacRae about the bag and she allegedly stated that it was old and there was nothing in it. The officer alleged that MacRae offered to let him look in the bag and the officer reportedly explained that she didn’t need to let him look in it.

Later though, the officer inquired about what looked like items on the driver’s side of the car that were allegedly covered up by a scarf. The officer requested MacRae to show him the items and she obliged.

The officer who was speaking to the store manager then went outside to speak to MacRae to ask about the missing bath towel. MacRae allegedly pulled it out of her purse and handed it to the officer. She later allegedly apologized for taking the items saying they were for her new apartment she was moving into.

The officer allegedly saw other items, 32 total, in the car including candles and other home goods valued at more than $180.

MacRae was arrested and charged. She was later released on $2,000 personal recognizance bail and has a court date on March 4.

The other women were reportedly released and not charged. All three women were given no trespass orders.