AUBURN — A Wilton woman pleaded guilty to robbery in Androscoggin County Superior Court on Wednesday for having attempted to forcefully take money from a man cashing his check at the service desk at the Auburn Kmart in March.
According to the Auburn police affidavit, Elizabeth Ross tried to steal cash from a customer, John Thomson, as he waited for his receipt at the desk. As Thomson waited, Ross appeared from behind, said, “I’ll take that,” and shoved him, trying to get away.
However, Thomson was able to hang onto the cash and a struggle ensued. According to the affidavit, Thomson wrestled Ross to the floor, and yelled, “She is taking my money; call security.”
The arresting officer said that when he arrived, Ross was lying on the floor with “several people,” including Kmart employees and a security guard, holding her down by her legs and arms. A $100 bill of Thomson’s was ripped during the robbery.
Police found that Ross had several items of clothing with Kmart tags under the clothing she was wearing, worth about $95. She was also in possession of suboxone, a drug used to treat opiate addiction.
The details of the incident were recapped during Wednesday’s hearing. Ross didn’t dispute the report.
Ross, 36, shifted her original plea from not guilty to guilty, and was sentenced to five years, with all but nine months and one day suspended, three years of probation, and a required substance-abuse evaluation.
She cannot have any contact with Thomson or step foot in a Kmart during the probation period.
During the court hearing Wednesday, Thomson said the incident “changed his life forever.”
“I’m constantly looking over my shoulder,” he said. “I used to be able to just walk down the street.”
He said the phrase, “I’ll take that,” is constantly replaying in his mind.
“I hope you get the help you need,” he told Ross.
Ross told the court she was sorry and that she “was not thinking clearly.”
“I’m doing my best to take responsibility for my actions,” she said.
According to the prosecution, if the case had gone to trial, evidence used against Ross would have included testimony from several Kmart employees, Kmart security video of the incident, and testimony from Thomson and the arresting officer.
arice@sunjournal.com
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