Woman pleads guilty in Luling credit card thefts

Worked in tandem to distract business owners, police say

A 27-year-old Kenner woman who authorities say worked in tandem with another woman to distract a Luling business owner in order to steal credit cards has pleaded guilty to theft.

Keshone Morgan served 85 days in prison after her arrest but will face no further jail time after her 10-year sentence for theft over $500 but less than $1,500 was suspended. Morgan was placed on active probation for five years.

Morgan was arrested last year based on surveillance footage taken from one of the crime scenes.

Chantell Fremen, of Tiger Town Gifts in Luling, and Linda Baxa, of It’s All About You Interiors in Boutte, said that two women came into their stores, distracted them and stole credit cards from their wallets last September.

Fremen was able to identify Morgan as one of the women, according to court documents, but police are still searching for the second suspect.

Fremen said the women took four credit cards from her wallet and went on a $2,500 shopping spree, buying pre-paid credit cards from CVS, Walgreens and Target. Baxa also said the women took her credit card, but were unable to use it because it was expired.

Two business owners outside the parish also contacted the Herald-Guide and said that the same two women had stolen credit cards from them.

Dottee Martin, of Jim Owens Flooring and Cabinets in Metairie, said that the thefts occurred last July.

"The description of the two women is the same and one distracts as the other steals your wallet," Martin said. "After the wallets are stolen, the thieves go to CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens Pharmacy to purchase thousands of dollars in gift cards."

Martin said she is aware of five other similar business burglaries that took place in Jefferson Parish, including thefts at Hickory Chicks, Shoe Envy, Commercial Flooring Depot, Curves and Corte’s Medi-Spa, which are all in Harahan. Additionally, Martin believes the same two women stole credit cards from Mary’s Floor World in New Orleans.

The Harahan Police Department had also issued a warrant for Morgan’s arrest.