Teachable Moment?

Pandora's Box ~ Menemsha

On August 30, a woman described as a "New York socialite" was arrested for shoplifting while waiting in line for the ferry home. She was questioned about stealing a $420 cashmere sweater from Pandora's Box in Menemsha. At first she said she bought the sweater online, then quickly changed her story and said she bought it at a store in Woodstock, New York. As the questioning continued, including a reading of her Miranda rights, she confessed to stealing the sweater. According to the police, "She stated that she really liked the sweater and was concerned that her husband would be upset if she kept spending money."

A search of her car then revealed she had also stolen an embroidered shirt and a necklace from The Green Room in Vineyard Haven.

 "After questioning," the officer wrote in his report, "Mrs. X admitted to stealing the shirt. She stated that she had asked the Green Room manager to sell a paddle board for 50 percent off. When refused, she felt that taking the shirt was payback for them not giving her the discount for the paddle board."

She was taken to the police station and released that evening on $300 bail. She was arraigned two weeks later in Edgartown District Court on September 14, where she consented to a plea agreement later that day.

According the Vineyard Times:

"The court continued the case without a finding for one year. If Ms. X is not arrested again, the charges will be dismissed. The court ordered her to make full restitution for the items stolen, and to stay away from the two Martha's Vineyard stores where police charged her with stealing merchandise. The court placed her on probation for one year, and ordered her to get at least 20 hours of psychological counseling during the year she is on probation."

Her attorney said, "Now that the case will be dismissed, my client looks forward to putting this regrettable chapter behind her."

A Google search reveals that Mrs. X is co-founder and managing director of an investment company. She and her husband recently sold their Sutton Place townhouse in New York City for $10 million, lower than the asking price of $19 million, but far higher than its original $1.6 million purchase price.

3 Riverview Terrace, New York City

The week after her arrest, and before her arraignment, her personal publicist issued a press release on PRNewswire which began as follows:

"X is proud to announce that she is currently celebrating the 20^th year of her career in the finance industry."

The rest of the press release extolled her many accomplishments, including an 'intense passion for her philanthropic work."

One must wonder what she's learned over those 20 years . . . and from her arrest. The Edgartown judge's call for 20 hours of psychological counseling is kind and generous. Perhaps 100 hours of community service would lead to a more teachable moment?

2015 Update: On a recent visit to Pandora's Box I asked the clerk at the register if she felt this woman had been adequately punished. Her answer was priceless. "Oh yes," she said, "the police said she shit herself when they questioned her in line at the ferry."