$16K In Dresses Stolen From Woodstock Store: Cops

WOODSTOCK, GA — The owner of a Woodstock business said a former employee stole cash, dresses, gowns and accessories valued at more than $16,000 from her shop last month.

According to an incident report released by the Woodstock Police Department, an officer was dispatched around 12:48 p.m. Sept. 22 to Queen Custom Couture at 9010 Main Street and met with the owner, who said a former employee stole the apparel and shoes and $580 in cash.

The owner told police said she hired the employee on Aug. 31 to manage the store, and left to go on a cruise Sept. 16. She left the former employee in charge to handle the store's day-to-day operations, but has been unsuccessful in making contact with the woman since returning from her vacation.

The ex-employee has not reported to work, and the owner said she believes she is behind the stolen merchandise because the missing dresses are the same ones her former employee "expressed an interest in," the officer wrote in the report.

"In fact [the former employee] had tried on one of the cocktail dresses and stated that she wanted to purchase it for an upcoming trip," the report adds.

The owner also accused the woman of taking a stack of credit card bills she left behind before departing on her cruise, as they were also missing when she returned to Woodstock. Along with the cash, the dresses, shoes and other accessories were valued at $16,400, the report shows.

Woodstock Police Chief Calvin Moss said detectives have been in touch with the former employee and owner of the business and the investigation remains active. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Woodstock Police Department tip line at 770-592-6021.

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