A trio of women-owned businesses in East Austin are seeking community assistance following a significant theft incident involving a shoplifter. The suspect, captured on surveillance footage, is believed to have stolen items valued at over $5,500 from these local establishments.
Clover + Maven, a boutique that champions the work of approximately 100 local artists, reported that the theft impacted not only their business but also the livelihoods of the creators they support. Over $1,000 worth of merchandise was taken during the incident that occurred on a Sunday afternoon.
Ryan Doolittle, co-owner of Clover + Maven, described the scene as chaotic, recalling how the shoplifter cleared an entire shelf of jewelry. “About seven pieces of jewelry were taken. She literally just cleared off the shelf in the back,” Doolittle stated.
The security video shows the woman stuffing handmade items into her tote bag before making a hasty exit through a side door. “As she was fleeing, she glanced back, with the jewelry still dangling from her wrist. It was quite a startling moment,” Doolittle noted.
Doolittle expressed a desire to halt the shoplifter’s activities, emphasizing that the goal is not to shame the individual but to raise awareness and prevent further incidents. “This shoplifter is out there and seems to have a pattern of stealing. We want to ensure this doesn’t happen again,” she said.
In response to the theft, Doolittle has already invested in additional security cameras and filed a report with the Austin Police Department. Following her social media post about the theft, she learned that other local businesses had experienced similar incidents involving the same woman.
Becky Tenney, owner of Kindred Spirits, confirmed that she too believed the same shoplifter had stolen from her store the previous weekend. Tenney described how the suspect had engaged with staff for about an hour before pilfering bags, wallets, and jewelry while a sales associate was occupied with another customer.
Tenney conveyed the emotional toll of such thefts on small businesses, stating, “It’s painful to be robbed. We have very limited capacity to absorb losses. These stores are independent, women-owned businesses dedicated to uplifting other small, minority-owned enterprises by showcasing their handcrafted goods.”
She added, “It’s disheartening to witness someone take away the joy of our venture. Despite the sadness, I refuse to let one person diminish our mission. I choose to respond with compassion while taking necessary steps to safeguard our business.”
In light of the thefts, Tenney has also filed a police report and implemented stronger security measures at Kindred Spirits.
The community is encouraged to assist. Anyone with information regarding the incidents is urged to contact the authorities.
