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Desiree Fontaine Arrested on Shoplifting Charges

By Kamika Dunlap on June 21, 2010 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

It looks like a case of sticky fingers for Connecticut television traffic reporter Desiree Fontaine who was arrested on shoplifting charges.

Desiree Fontaine, a 33-year-old traffic reporter is accused of shoplifting more than $100 worth of merchandise from a department store, The Hartford Courant reports.

Traffic reporter and host of "Connecticut Style" Desiree Fontaine was accused of shoplifting a $104.98 bottle of perfume.

In general, shoplifting refers to the theft of merchandise from a store or place of business. Shoplifting is a type of larceny, which simply means taking the property of someone else without their permission, and with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of the property taken.

State laws vary widely, but generally, shoplifting offenses includes two elements:

  • willfully concealing or taking possession of items being offered for sale; and
  • the intent to deprive the items' rightful owner (typically the store) of possession of the items, without paying the purchase price.

Fontaine faces the charge of sixth-degree larceny, meaning the item she allegedly took is worth $500 or less.

Simply concealing merchandise, inside or outside the store, will often be enough to be categorized as shoplifting. One must have the intent to take the item from the store, however, many states consider the act of concealing merchandise to be evidence of intent.

Like charges for other types of theft, the severity of shoplifting charges generally depends on the value of the goods involved. If firearms, explosives or incendiary devices are shoplifted, the severity of charges increases in many states.

 

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