Pregnant Robinson Shoplifter Goes Into Labor at Allegheny County Jail

Tara Marie Duffy, 35, of Mount Washington faces a charge of felony retail theft after she was accused of attempting to steal $230 in merchandise from the Kohl's Department Store on Steubenville Pike on April 26.

The store's loss prevention officer had Duffy in custody when Robinson police arrived at the scene. Duffy is accused of placing a pair of shoes into a baby stroller she was pushing and putting several clothing items in a diaper bag, which she placed on top of the shoes.

Because she had several prior convictions for retail theft, she was taken into custody and transported to the Allegheny County Jail. While at the jail, Duffy complained of stomach pains and cramps—and she went into labor.

Police advised her that there would be a warrant issued for her arrest and advised her to turn herself in at district court.

Robinson Township police handled several other retail theft cases in late April:

• Debra Christine Booth, 60, of West Mifflin was taken into custody by a store loss prevention officer on April 28 after she was accused of attempting to push a shopping cart with $122 worth of groceries out the door at the Giant Eagle Market District on Settlers Ridge Drive. The store will handle prosecution.

• Christa Santee, 41, of Millvale faces one count of felony retail theft after she was accused of attempting to steal $252.81 of merchandise on April 26 from the T.J. Maxx store on Park Manor Boulevard. Because she had prior retail theft convictions, she was taken to Allegheny County Jail for arraignment and booking. A preliminary hearing will be held at 10 a.m. today (May 7) before District Judge Carla M. Swearingen in district court.

• Mindy Lee Conley, 33, of Rochester faces charges of retail theft and corruption of minors filed by Robinson police. She is accused of concealing 37 items valued at a total of $881.68 in a baby stroller on April 17 at the JCPenney store on Robinson Centre Drive. Conley faces a preliminary hearing at 10 a.m. June 18 in district court.

• Sharon Lee Donervitch, 49, of McKees Rocks faces a preliminary hearing on charges of felony retail theft after she was accused of attempting to steal a couch cover valued at $200 at the Macy's on Robinson Centre Drive on April 19. She is accused of draping her jacket over the cover and walking out of the store without paying for it. She faces a preliminary hearing at 10 a.m. today (May 7) in district court.