West Bloomfield woman arrested for theft

A West Bloomfield woman was arrested on Thursday, July 18, in connection with an attempted theft of liquor from a pharmacy in Bloomfield Township.

Bloomfield Township police responded about 8:15 p.m. to Rite Aid Pharmacy, 42931 Woodward Avenue, for a complaint about an attempted theft. The store manager told police she observed the suspect, identified as Melody Faith McClellan, 46, of West Bloomfield, conceal two bottles of liquor in her purse.

The manager told police he confronted McClellan about the liquor, who denied an attempted to steal it. Moments later, the manager said she found the bottles in McClellan's purse with aluminum foil over the anti-theft sensors. The bottles were returned to the shelf and McClellan was escorted out of the store.

Police officers located the suspect walking in a residential area adjacent to the store. She was identified after first giving officers a fake name. A search of the suspect revealed another bottle of liquor with aluminum foil covering the anti-theft sensor. She was arrested on suspicion of retail fraud.

McClellan was arraigned on Friday, July 19, in 48th District Court and issued a $10,000 cash bond.