Memphis Shoplifting Incident Leads to Arrests of Three Women
In a rather shocking turn of events, three women found themselves behind bars on Tuesday after they were caught shoplifting in a stolen vehicle, right outside a Family Dollar store in East Memphis. Talk about a wild day!
The Participants in the Peculiar Plot
Australia Butler, 28, Sarah Benson, 31, and Jayla Rhoten, 21, are the women involved in this unusual incident. According to police reports, Butler and Benson face a slew of serious charges including theft of property, vandalism, altering or forging an auto tag, and possessing a vehicle with an altered serial number. The trio also was charged for having unauthorized tools to interfere with anti-theft devices. Yikes!
A Dramatic Series of Events
The story begins with a thrilling crime scene at a Sam’s Club on Winchester, where a white 2017 Nissan Maxima was stolen back on October 19. Surveillance footage revealed the audacity of the theft – a dark-colored Maxima drove up, a woman jumped into the stolen Nissan, and the vehicle sped away. Not exactly a scene from a classic heist movie, but just as dramatic!
Fast forward to Tuesday, when the Memphis Police Department’s Auto Theft Task Force, armed with some serious detective skills, spotted the stolen Maxima driving at the intersection of Quince and Perkins. They trailed the car straight to the Family Dollar store, where a shoplifting incident was unfolding. Just like that, the stage was set for the dramatic takedown of the alleged criminals.
The Arrest and Recoveries
Upon arriving at the store, officers quickly detained Benson, who was at the wheel, along with her accomplices, Butler and Rhoten. Inside the store, the police found several items that Benson had concealed in her purse, presumably snatched from the Family Dollar. But the surprises didn’t stop there – officers discovered a generic key fob programmed to operate the stolen Maxima tucked away in Butler’s pocket. Talk about a slip-up!
Further digging through the vehicle revealed a treasure trove of what appeared to be stolen merchandise. Some items even had their security devices still attached. To add to the suspicious pile, a large magnet – a tool often used to remove those pesky retail security devices – was found sitting pretty on the center console. Things were definitely looking grim for the ladies!
More Troubling Findings
But wait, there’s more! Officers also discovered a fraudulent City of Memphis odometer disclosure statement in the glove box. This document is typically used to obtain vehicle titles and registrations, but in this case, it was likely used for fraudulent means. To top it all off, the Maxima itself was in pretty rough shape with multiple bullet holes on the roof and some cosmetic damage on the front passenger side.
Unfortunately for the ladies, all of this malfeasance comes at a cost. It’s estimated that reprogramming the stolen vehicle would set them back about $1,200. Definitely not the kind of expense any of them wanted to deal with, considering the legal fees they might now face!
What’s Next for the Trio?
As the dust settles, all three women are set to appear in court on Thursday. It’s safe to say that their escapade will be a hot topic in the local community for some time. What were they thinking, and will they learn from their wild adventures? Only time will tell.
In the meantime, let’s hope the local stores ramp up their security measures to avoid future incidents like these. After all, it’s a crazy world out there!
Author: STAFF HERE MEMPHIS WRITER
MEMPHIS STAFF WRITER The MEMPHIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMemphis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Memphis, Shelby County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Beale Street Music Festival, Elvis Week, and Memphis in May International Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Memphis Chamber and the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and music that power the local economy such as FedEx, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and AutoZone. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREKnoxville.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
