Mount Pleasant woman arraigned for stealing dog collars from Menards

A Mount Pleasant woman was arraigned Thursday for retail fraud after confessing to stealing at least $10,000 worth of dog collars and invisible fences from Menards, 4615 Encore Blvd.

Kathleen Kolb was arrested by troopers from the Michigan State Police Mount Pleasant Post after an investigation that began Jan. 1.

“It was New Year’s Day when Menards contacted us about a woman they had been suspicious about,” said MSP Sgt. Eric Sumpter.

Kolb was then observed by Menards personnel entering the store Jan. 8. Police were told about Kolb again possibly stealing electronic dog collars from the store.

“She had a pattern of entering the store since October 2012, and when she returned again to Menards on Jan. 8, we were alerted she was detained after she exited the store,” Sumpter said. “In her possession, she had stolen dog collars and some invisible fences.”

Sumpter said Kolb was interviewed that day and later confessed to the numerous crimes dating back to October 2012.

Kolb said she was stealing the items from the store and selling them on eBay. Menards store showed a loss from Kolb’s thefts totaling more than $10,000.

She surrendered and was arraigned Thursday, where she was released on bond, according to police. A preliminary exam is scheduled for March 28.

The Isabella Trial Court issued an arrest warrant for Kolb, with the charge of retail fraud in the first degree.

Sumpter said he believes she acted alone and had no connection with any other retail fraud arrests made earlier in the month at Dunham’s Sporting Goods.