ERWIN WOMAN ARRESTED AFTER STEALING RINGS FROM KINGSPORT JEWELRY STORE

An Erwin woman has been charged with theft from a Kingsport jewelry store. The Kingsport Police Department reports that officers were called to the Kay Jewelers at the Fort Henry Mall in reference to a shoplifting. Upon arrival, officers found two women outside the store holding another woman, identified to be 48-year-old Christi Laughlin, of Erwin, against the outside wall of the store. A store employee told officers that Laughlin had stolen rings and that they were on her finger. The officer found two rings on her right pinky finger and an employee confirmed that those were the rings stolen. Employees told officers that Laughlin had came into the store asking to see watches and diamond rings and when they showed her a Leo diamond ring and ring holder, both valued at over $11,000 combined, she put them on her finger and walked out of the store. The employee and store manager stopped her outside the store and held her against the wall until police arrived. Laughlin was taken to the Kingsport City jail and was charged with felony theft over $10,000. 

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