Woman With History of Theft Accused Again

Mount Pleasant police say a Milwaukee woman with a long history of theft convictions and a three-year jail sentence reverted back to type Sunday when she tried to steal over $500 worth of goods from Rogan's Shoes.

Angela Tatum, 53, was charged Monday in Racine County Circuit Court with a single felony count of retail theft, $500 - $5,000. If convicted, she faces up to 3-1/2 years in jail and/or up to $10,000 in fines.

According to the criminal complaint, officers were flagged by a citizen Sunday to Rogan's Shoes, 5415 Washington Avenue, to report a shoplifting in progress by two women. The witness provided a description of the vehicle, a green Buick, the suspects may have been using as a get-away car.

A witness also told police they suspected socks were involved because when the women exited the store, they set off the security alarm.

Police say they saw a green Buick speeding through the parking lot so they initiated a traffic stop. Inside, the driver - identified as Tatum - had "an unusual bulge around her middle" so officers asked her to unzip her jacket. Inside Tatum's coat they found:

• 19 pairs of socks
• One pair of shoes
• One black sweatshirt
• One pair of warm up pants
• Four short-sleeved women’s shirts
• 2 long-sleeved women’s shirts

All told, the merchandise totaled $545.99, the complaint reads. 

Tatum has a number of theft convictions dating back to 1977, most of them in Milwaukee County. She was incarcerated for just over three years - from 2006 to 2010 - in Milwaukee County on a retail theft conviction.

The defendant remains in the Racine County Jail on a $400 cash bond. She will next be in court for her preliminary hearing on April 10.