Occurred April 11, 2012, 4737 Kostoryz Street, Organized Retail Theft, 1203270068

A 54-year-old woman was arrested Wednesday at her place of business for Organized Retail Theft.

The Corpus Christi Police Department was made aware on March 9, 2012 that food was routinely stolen from area grocers and then sold to a local retail shop. Police investigators discovered the stolen food was then sold from the retail shop for public consumption.

Police Property Crimes Investigators assisted by HEB Loss Prevention conducted an undercover operation which confirmed the stolen food was sold to Norma’s Fruits and Delights. The Police Investigators then obtained a warrant for arrest for 54-year-old Norma Palacios (8/10/1957). Palacios was arrested at her business on April 11, 2012 and delivered to the city detention center. The Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District were on scene to inspect the business after the arrest.

Palacios is recorded to have received between $500 and $1,500 worth of stolen food that was sold for public consumption. Officers recovered $2,715 worth of stolen meat products when Palacios was arrested. The charge is a State Jail Felony punishable by up to 2 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.