If You Want To Keep Your Job As A News Anchor, Don’t Get Caught Shoplifting

As celebs like Wynona Ryder have demonstrated, you can get caught shoplifting and still go on to have a decent career in the public eye. Perhaps Ryder’s redemption tale will give some hope to a California news woman who has resigned her local anchoring gig after being charged with shoplifting.

Sabrina Rodriguez had been with FOX40 in Sacramento since 2011, but police allege that in early 2013 she began helping her fiance steal from stores and fence those shoplifted items.

Texts from the fiance to Rodriguez show him discussing the alleged theft of expensive sweaters and purses from stores like BCBG. One text in response to the fiance reads, “Awesome. I love when a plan comes together.”

Then in March 2014, the fiance was reportedly spotted on camera leaving a Coach store with wallets he did not pay for. Rodriguez admitted to being in the store with her fiance but denied being involved in any theft.

However, police claim that security camera footage shows Rodriguez pointing out wallets to her fiance before he puts them into his bag.

“It appears that Rodriguez is selecting wallets and helping conceal the actions of [her fiance] as he places them in his bag,” reads a case summary filed in court.

The fiance was charged with theft in May, around the same time as a fire claimed the house he shared with the award-winning anchor. He also faces arson and drug charges.

Rodriguez was not charged in the March incident until last week when she turned herself in to authorities. She has been charged with grand theft, burglary and conspiracy and released on $10,000 bail.

She announced her resignation on her Facebook page, while also saying she will defend herself against the charges.

“Resigning was not an easy decision to make, but it’s one that will allow me to focus on my case and work to reestablish my good name,” wrote Rodriguez.

Interestingly, Rodriguez did a story shortly before the alleged shoplifting incidents in which she discusses with an anonymous shoplifter the ease with which he pilfers expensive products from high-end stores. The station has pulled the story from its archives, but it has been retrieved for posterity by this site.

[via SacBee.com]

by Chris Morran via Consumerist