By Rita Farlow, Times Staff Writer
Monday, January 24, 2011
TARPON SPRINGS — A woman arrested on a shoplifting charge tried to bribe a police officer Sunday morning, authorities said.
Elzbieta Pogorzelski, 42, of 1298 Salt Lake Drive, was charged with retail theft and bribery.
According to arrest reports, a loss-prevention officer at Beall's Outlet store at 41318 U.S. Highway 19 saw Pogorzelski stuffing men's underwear and baby clothes into her purse about 11 a.m.
The store employee called police and confronted Pogorzelski outside the store. Police arrived and found about $30 worth of merchandise in her purse, according to the reports.
After Tarpon Springs police Officer Megan Coneby put handcuffs on Pogorzelski, she reportedly asked Coneby twice: "I give you money, no jail?"
The officer asked Pogorzelski if she had offered money to keep from going to jail, and Pogorzelski said, "Yes, I did," according to ...