Police in the Roeselare - Izegem - Hooglede (RIHO) zone have arrested a 36-year-old French woman suspected of a series of shop thefts in Roeselare, according to the Office of the Public Prosecutor in West Flanders.
Officers were alerted at about 1.30 p.m. by a shop on Brugsesteenweg, where staff recognised a woman who, they believed, had previously stolen goods.
She had already left by the time police arrived, but officers used a description and CCTV images to trace her shortly afterwards as she was leaving another shop.
During a check, police found several unpaid items in her handbag.
A search of her car, which had French number plates, uncovered numerous items later identified as stolen in separate shop thefts.
Police also seized a substantial amount of cash, two mobile phones, a magnet used to remove anti-theft security devices, and a canister of pepper spray.
Investigators say the suspect can be linked to six shop thefts in Roeselare: five committed on the same day and one on 20 July.
OPP West Flanders has decided to indict her under a fast-track procedure on charges of theft and possession of a prohibited weapon, namely pepper spray.
The case is due to be heard on 1 October.
