80 Year Old Woman Admits to Theft

If you don't suspect the elderly of engaging in theft, think again: an 80-year-old woman was arrested in California earlier this year on theft charges.

The suspect, Doris Payne, had once written "jewel thief" on an old arrest report. It seems that old habits die hard when officers discovered that Payne had stolen a ring worth $16,000 from a Santa Monica jewelry store. Not taking sympathy on her due to age, Payne received a sentence of 16 months in prison from Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Mark E. Windham. However, this sentence will run concurrently with a previous sentence for theft. At that time, Payne was discovered pocketing a diamond ring from Macy's in San Diego.

Not shy about her habits, Payne has told willing audiences that she started stealing jewels in the 1950s, and has been going ever since. Her illegal activities have crisscrossed the globe, with Payne stealing jewels in New York, London, Paris, Monte Carlo and Tokyo.

Facing theft crime charges? Contact us to learn more about your legal options by speaking with a San Diego criminal defense lawyer.