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Women Arrested, Accused Of Shoplifting With Children At Target

EAST LIBERTY (KDKA) - Two women are facing charges, accused of trying to shoplift from the Target store in East Liberty.

According to the criminal complaint, the officers who took the women into custody reported that they both appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol and had trouble standing and staying awake while they were being questioned.

Police say 38-year-old Heather Garland and 31-year-old Sara Fuss spent two hours in the East Liberty Target store Sunday afternoon, putting various items into their purses, into a stroller and on themselves.

They were observed on surveillance cameras with two small children.

"One of the women's two children, ages 2 and 7, were with the women at the time," Pittsburgh Public Safety Assistant PIO Emily Schaffer said.

Police recovered about $300 worth of merchandise from the women.

Officers say Garland, who was prosecuted earlier this year for shoplifting at the same store, offered to pay for the 30 items.

Fuss told officers she was just storing merchandise in her closed purse until she could pay for them. She was reportedly wearing a pair of shoes that she hadn't paid for, while her 2-year-old walked around the store, without shoes, and in need of a diaper change.

"The mother of the two children did not have food or diapers for the child," Schaffer said.

Police say Garland and Fuss appeared disoriented and could not follow directions.

"What we do know at this time is when one of the women called a relative to have her children come picked up, she was a little confused," said Schaffer. "She thought that maybe she was at a Kmart in Swissvale."

Both women face charges of retail theft, and conspiracy of retail theft.

Fuss also faces charges of endangering the welfare of children.

Their preliminary hearings are scheduled for Friday.

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