Horry County Woman Arrested After Alarming Series of Shoplifting Incidents

Shoplifting Spree Lands Horry County Woman in Hot Water

Horry County, S.C. – A 31-year-old woman has found herself in quite a legal pickle after a spree of shoplifting incidents sent her straight to the clink. Laqueta Enaj Harrell is facing a whopping list of charges following multiple thefts at department stores throughout the area, leaving store associates and law enforcement both scratching their heads.

A String of Incidents

It all began back in August 2023 when Harrell decided to pay a visit to the Polo Ralph Lauren store located in the bustling Myrtle Beach section of Horry County. What might have started as a fun shopping trip quickly turned into what can only be described as a nightmare for the retailer. Harrell allegedly walked off with $2,888 worth of merchandise without even attempting to pay! She was recognized by the store staff, which certainly made her a familiar face — but not for the best reasons.

Fast forward to January 2024, when Harrell struck again, this time at the Michael Kors store, right in the vibrant heart of Myrtle Beach. This time, she had her sights set on a spectacular haul— a jaw-dropping $16,522 worth of goods! Surveillance cameras caught her darting out of the store alongside another suspect, leaving employees stunned and without the chance to intervene.

Escalation of Events

As if that wasn’t enough, February delivered even more alarming news. Harrell was implicated in thefts at both the Tommy Hilfiger store ($4,047.50) and another incident at Polo Ralph Lauren, where she allegedly made off with $6,357 worth of merchandise. But things took a wild turn when she teamed up with a co-defendant at Michael Kors once again, attempting to swipe $12,176 worth of items. When confronted by store associates, Harrell’s response was almost as alarming as the theft itself: “Touch me and I will pepper spray you,” leading to a hasty exit from the shop.

The Icing on the Cake

Then came May 2024, a month that would seal her fate. Harrell and two accomplices staged yet another elaborate operation at a store on Factory Stores Boulevard. One accomplice played lookout while she secretly stuffed $3,040 worth of items into a bag she was carrying. Talk about teaming up for trouble!

This Time, It’s Different

As if the story couldn’t get any twistier, in December 2024, Harrell was spotted driving her vehicle along SC Highway 544. Officials were alerted about her by loss prevention at Khol’s—sounds like she couldn’t shake her old ways. Upon identifying Harrell, officers discovered that she also had a suspended driver’s license, adding yet another charge to her growing list.

Consequences Await

The authorities have wasted no time in acting against Harrell, and she was promptly charged on Monday with a lengthy roster of offenses. This includes driving under suspension, common law robbery, and multiple counts of shoplifting, with some charges classified under strict enhancement laws due to the total value stolen being between $1,000 to $5,000. She faces serious time—like the kind that locks you away from your favorite stores for a while.

Community Response

While Harrell’s antics have sparked concern within the local community, it’s also a reminder that actions have consequences. As store owners and employees breathe a sigh of relief knowing that their complaints were taken seriously, they also hope this serves as a warning to others who might be tempted to follow in her footsteps.

With her case set to unfold in the coming weeks, it seems Laqueta Enaj Harrell has quite the rocky road ahead. Customers and businesses alike are undoubtedly keeping an eye on this story, hoping it brings about a positive change for the community. Time will tell what happens next in Horry County’s saga of shoplifting!