Suspect in Bloomingdale’s theft held

Deepa Bharath

Police arrested a 36-year-old Laguna Niguel massage therapist

Wednesday who they say stole a $140 cashmere scarf from

Bloomingdale’s in Fashion Island last week and then escaped after

fighting off the store’s security officer.

Newport Beach police detectives searched Kim Ann Barro’s home at

about 7:45 a.m. Wednesday and arrested her after they found the

security officer’s handcuffs along with a copy of a newspaper with a

story about the incident and a picture of Barro, officials said.

The incident happened on Nov. 11 at about 11:20 a.m. Someone

called 911 and reported that a theft had occurred in Bloomingdale’s

and that the suspect, a woman, had left the store wearing one

handcuff on her wrist, Sgt. Steve Shulman said.

The woman, identified as Barro, had been seen on a surveillance

camera acting suspicious and was ultimately seen putting a pink scarf

into a shopping bag she was carrying, he said.

The store’s security officer followed Barro, brought her back into

the store and began to handcuff her, Shulman said. But Barro managed

to fight the security officer, freeing herself and running out with

the handcuff still attached to one wrist, he said.

Police officers responded to the call, but Barro was gone by that

time, Shulman said.

The entire incident, however, was caught on tape. Pictures of

Barro were published in newspapers and local television stations

played the surveillance tape, which helped detectives find and arrest

Barro, Shulman said.

“People who saw her recognized her and called the police with her

name,” he said.

More incidents of this kind are to be expected as the holidays

approach, he said.

“Stores have ramped up their efforts to deter thefts by hiring

more workers, and many have installed sophisticated equipment to

protect their inventory,” Shulman said. “Potential thieves should be

aware that if caught stealing in stores in Newport Beach, they will

be prosecuted.”

He added that it may help store owners to post an employee at the

store entrance.

“During the busy holiday season that may not only help customers

who may have questions or concerns, but may help prevents thefts or

stop people who have the propensity to commit thefts,” Shulman said.

Barro is being held in Newport Beach city jail in lieu of a $5,000

bail.