CAREER THIEF LEARNED ROPES FROM OTHER DRUG ADDICTS

Chrystine Anne Kelley is in jail. She's serving 14 months for charges
connected to her drug use, and didn't want to be interviewed. But Kelley's
testimony at three local trials provides a glimpse into the career of a
professional shoplifter.

According to her testimony:

Kelley has been convicted of 10 to 12 felonies and a long list of
misdemeanors, most related to illegal drugs or the larceny she committed to
buy them. Before now, she had never done any serious time in a cell.

A heroin addict since 1992, Kelley learned about boosting from other
addicts involved in the crime. They gave her rides to the stores, showing
her what to steal and how.

Soon she was shoplifting on her own, then with a boyfriend. As one drove
the car from store to store, the other would keep a running inventory of
the day's take. Such organization helped speed things up later during the
exchange with the fences who bought the stolen property.

Cash-in time could be tricky. Some fences meticulously counted and examined
each piece of the merchandise. Damage to an item's packaging decreased its
value.

Sometimes a fence would place a special order. In response to a request for
Hallmark ornaments, Kelley went from store to store, shoplifting 200 to 300
over a couple of weeks.

Kelley and her boyfriend grew bolder. Sometimes he'd wait in the car while
she ran into a store, grabbed merchandise and raced out with security
chasing behind her.

They'd speed off, circle the block, and return to the same store.

This time, her boyfriend would run in.