Police Log: Fleeing Shoplifter Leaves Purse Behind With Heroin Inside

A woman accused of shoplifting at International Market on Arnold Street Feb. 24 ran from her accusers, leaving a purse containing heroin behind.

Woonsocket Police were able to track Veronica Feliciano, 21, to the women's shelter where she was staying using information in her purse, arresting her for shoplifting, an outstanding Sixth District Court warrant and a felony charge of heroin possession.

At about 12:32 p.m., officers were called to the market at 165 Arnold St. for a report of a disturbance. When they arrived, the owner, Miguel Pichardo, said a regular customer with a history of theft from the store, Feliciano, had entered the market and two 25 oz Tide detergent packages, one container of Fabuloso floor soap, one Joy dish soap and a container of Country Crock butter into her purse, according to Officer Michael Martufi's report.

Pichardo said he confronted Feliciano, who begged him not to press charges and then fled the store when he insisted that he would, leaving her purse behind.

Inside the purse, Martufi found ID leading him to her home at a local women's shelter. He also found $10 worth of heroin, a bent spoon and syringes. Two other officers located Felicano at her home and arrested her.

She was charged with shoplifting, a misdemeanor, and possession of heroin, a felony.