Crime & Safety

Bristol Woman Arrested After Bed, Bath and Beyond Scam

Malika Lee of Bristol took $340 worth of linens up to the cashier and said she wanted to return them, police say.

A Bristol woman has been arrested in connection with an attempted theft that occurred Wednesday at Bed, Bath and Beyond in Newtown.

Newtown Township Police said Malika Lee, 26, took $340 worth of linens while walking around the store and then went up to the cashier for a store credit. She was with her small child at the time of the incident, according to police. 

Less than an hour later, Lee came back to the store and attempted to use the store credit. But the manager had already voided it and police who were responding to the scene arrested her at the store.

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A Bed, Bath and Beyond employee told police that after reviewing the security video, she confirmed Lee had no merchandise with her when she entered but later tried to return the items she picked up while walking around the store.

Lee provided her driver’s license to the cashier, who gave her a store credit. She then left the store.

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After Lee left, the manager made the determination that the return was fraudulent and voided the store credit, police said. 

Lee came back to Bed Bath & Beyond around 4 p.m. and attempted to redeem the store credit she had received earlier. 

“As the officer arrived at the location, he observed a female fitting the description walking away from the store and a store employee pointing to her,” police said.

Lee was arrested and transported to police headquarters, where the investigation continued. She was released pending charges of theft.   


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