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Iowa woman gets probation for shoplifting spree

John Mangalonzo, The Hawk Eye, Burlington, Iowa –

A Burlington woman waiting to be tried on a robbery charge was sentenced Monday in a separate case where she and another woman went around to area stores in what authorities described as a shoplifting spree.

Tasha Lashawn Brown was placed on unsupervised probation for two years after her 180-day jail sentence for third-degree theft was suspended.

Police said in September, Brown, 22, and another woman, Markita Shauntol Conard, 25, were pulled over while leaving the Walmart parking lot in West Burlington on suspicion of thievery.

Authorities said officers found several children’s clothing items contained in a canvas bag in the back seat of the vehicle.

Conard reportedly told officers the clothes were hers and she was moving, but police noticed the security tags still were on the clothing.

She then claimed she just bought the clothes, but didn’t have the receipt with her.

A search of the vehicle yielded 103 pieces of clothing. An investigation indicated the pair stole the merchandise from nearby Kohl’s Department Store, Target, J.C. Penney, Shoe Department and Younkers.

In March, Conard received the same sentence, also for third-degree theft.

Brown will be tried in another case, where she is charged with second-degree robbery, Sept. 11, with a pretrial conference set for Aug. 27.

Authorities said officers were sent to the 2600 block of Flint Hills Drive in December, when a woman, identified as Kristie Stepps, told police she got a ride from someone to get change at a gas station to pay for her hair extensions.

When Stepps was dropped off at home, Brown, who also was in the car, also got out of the vehicle, grabbed her by the hair and flung her onto the ground.

Stepps said Brown punched her in the face several times before taking her purse containing $40, perfume, lotion and cigarettes.

Authorities said Stepps insisted hearing Brown say, “I have been waiting a long time to do this,” while the alleged assault was happening.

Further, Stepps reportedly told police she suspected Brown was trying to take Stepps’ tax refund.

Authorities said they spoke to a witness who said Brown knew about the tax refund and asked the witness to look for the money inside Stepps’ home.

During an interview with detectives, Brown said during the car ride, Stepps “rolled her eyes and smacked her lips,” at her.

When the woman got out, Brown told detectives she punched Stepps twice, causing the victim to fall on the ground.

While down, Stepps allegedly was punched by Brown several more times in the face.

Brown, however, denied taking the purse. She said she knew about the tax refund and thought about taking it from Stepps but decided not to.

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