Jo-Ann Dorothy Ricci, suspected 'Lingerie thief,' can't give the slip to Port St. Lucie authorities

The woman -- 69-year-old Jo-Ann Dorothy Ricci -- put a pair of pants in her purse and left without paying, the Bealls loss prevention officer stated to Port St. Lucie police.
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Posted: 11/26/2012

By: Will Greenlee, Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers

A woman dubbed the "lingerie thief" couldn't give the slip to a Bealls worker who accused her of absconding with $745 worth of ladies undies, perfume and jewelry.

A loss prevention officer at a Bealls store on South U.S. 1 in Port St. Lucie told police November 12 he spied a woman walking around with bags of merchandise, a recently released arrest affidavit states.

The woman -- 69-year-old Jo-Ann Dorothy Ricci -- put a pair of pants in her purse and left without paying, the Bealls loss prevention officer stated to Port St. Lucie police.

Store employees reportedly dubbed Ricci the "lingerie thief," and Ricci's arrest affidavit states she has two prior retail theft convictions.

Lingerie refers to a variety of women's undergarments, including, but not limited to, brassieres, teddies, babydolls, bustiers, panties, garters, stockings and camisoles. Often viewed favorably by men, lingerie in many cases is designed to be enticing or erotic.

Ricci, of Southwest La Paloma Lane in Port St. Lucie, said she entered the store with empty bags and filled them in a fitting room.

She was arrested on a felony retail theft charge.

She also was warned not to return to Bealls -- not even for a brief visit.