A woman who allegedly stole more than $6,000 in phones from a local business is behind bars after an unusual incident led to her arrest.
Letesha Jeanae Smith, 22, of McComb allegedly told officers she was someone else after being pulled over – but a hospital band on her wrist revealed her true identity, according to Columbia police.
Letesha Jeanae Smith, 22, of McComb was charged by the Columbia Police Deaprtment with grand larceny – theft over $1,000 and possession of a stolen firearm, according to Detective Lt. Jonathan Harrison. She remains in the Marion County Jail on $30,000 bond.
“Smith and two other females and her child went into the Verizon store back on Sept. 27,” Harrison said. “While the other two and the child distracted store employees, Latesha went back in the stockroom and stole seven iPhone 7s and a Motorola phone. The items totaled $6,730. We were able to ID them through video from the store.”
Harrison said the CPD is still seeking the second subject, Octaria Moore, who is wanted on accessory after the fact charges.
“We’re hoping she will turn herself in,” Harrison said.
Smith’s arrest was something of an adventure for CPD officers late last week.
“We received a call about a suspicious vehicle at the Phone Connection,” Harrison said. “Two females were acting suspicious in the store and then left in the vehicle. Officer Chris Bush spotted the vehicle at Walmart and made contact with the subjects. The driver gave Bush an ID, but I arrived and recognized Smith from the videos and working on the case. She denied her name was Latesha Smith. She denied it several times. She was waving her arms and denying it when her jacket sleeve came down and I spotted a hospital bracelet on her arm – it said Latesha Smith.”
Smith was taken into custody by officers. The woman with her had no charges, but is suspected in an incident in Tylertown. Smith is on the video of her from Tylertown.
Smith was also implicated in another incident from earlier in the year as the investigation continued, according to Harrison.
“On April 28, she was captured on video as she stole a firearm from Columbia Pawn and Rental,” he said. “We recovered a Sig Sauer P938 and Smith was then charged with possession of a stolen firearm.”
Smith had not bonded out as of deadline earlier this week. Her bond individual bonds were $25,000 on the grand larceny and $5,000 on the possession of a stolen weapon. The case is still under investigation.
