"Golden girls" tarnished
Published on July 30th, 2003
STONEHAM, MA - A pair of women, one in her middle years and one in her golden years, were arrested this past week for allegedly stealing merchandise from Marshalls at Redstone Shopping Center, and then reportedly attempting to immediately return the stolen goods for store credit.
Patricia Byrnes, age 70, of 317 West Street, South Boston, and Martha Leahy, age 52, of 303 Albany Street, Ap. 105, Boston, were both arrested for shoplifting and larceny greater than $250, and Byrnes was additionally arrested for an outstanding Somerville warrant for operating without a license, forging an RMV document, larceny of less than $250, receiving stolen property greater than $250, and credit card misuse.
According to Stoneham police sources, both women were "shopping" at Marshalls at the Redstone Shopping Center on Saturday morning at approximately 10:57 a.m.
An undercover security employee reportedly noticed the two aged absconders lugging a large plastic Dunkin' Donuts bag, and reportedly filling it up with packaged bed sheet sets.
The women then walked around to the opposite end of the store, and, according to Stoneham Police reports, returned the merchandise for a $278 store credit.
Not quite satisfied with their haul, the "golden girls" then allegedly shuffled to the perfume aisle and again filled the shopping bag with merchandise.
Stoneham Police had been notified of the larcenous activity, and moved in for the arrest when the woman reportedly attempted to return the ripped-off perfume.
"The women, particularly Byrnes, were acting all sweet and nice as pie at the time of the arrest, and claimed that they'd never really been in trouble for this before...but they were swearing at each other like sailors on the ride over to the station," said Stoneham Police Det. George Alger. "We have reason to believe they might have been doing this on a regular schedule every week."
According to Alger, Byrnes has had over 50 police charges levied against her, and has made 19 Superior Court appearances to answer to assorted charges.
The assorted bedsheets and perfumes totalled approximately $400, according to Alger.
Leahy was released on bail, but Byrnes was held for arraignment at Middlesex Superior Court on Monday morning.
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