GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Shaunda Denise Allen, 58, was arrested after police said she took roughly 50 cigarette lighters and two beers from a Murphy Express. According to investigators, Allen later remarked that she was “making a killing, selling [the lighters] for $2 a piece.”
A Gainesville Police Department officer said the theft occurred around 4:30 a.m. October 21 at the Murphy Express on 6323 NW 23rd Street. Allen allegedly removed an entire carton of cigarette lighters—approximately 50—from the front counter and left the store. Police said she returned moments later, took two Bud Lights from a cooler and exited again without paying.
The officer identified Allen as the suspect, while the store manager reportedly picked her out of a photo lineup as the person captured stealing the merchandise. On October 22, the officer located Allen near Walmart and arrested her. Police said she was wearing the same shoes visible in the store’s surveillance footage.
After being read her Miranda rights, Allen allegedly acknowledged stealing from Murphy Express. When shown a surveillance image from the store, she reportedly responded, “You got me.”
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During a search following the arrest, officers reportedly found two lighters in Allen’s pocket. Police said she then told them she “had been making a killing, selling them for $2 a piece.”
Allen faces charges of felony petit theft involving two or more prior convictions and dealing in stolen property. She was also booked on probation-violation allegations stemming from two other shoplifting cases. Authorities said her record includes 10 nonviolent felony convictions, 15 nonviolent misdemeanor convictions and eight state prison sentences; she was most recently released in 2015. Judge Adam Lee ordered Allen held without bail while the probation matters are addressed and set bail at $125,000 on the new charges.