Police: Repeat Offender Arrested After $1,100 Shoplifting Incident

SMITHFIELD — A Lucama woman with multiple prior theft convictions has been charged with habitual larceny following a shoplifting incident at a Smithfield department store.

Smithfield Police arrested Sonya Renee Etheridge, 52, on Feb. 12 after officers were dispatched around 1:47 p.m. to Belk, located at 1231 N. Brightleaf Boulevard, for a reported shoplifting.

Police allege Etheridge stole miscellaneous merchandise including clothing, jewelry and household items valued at $1,117. Officers took her into custody before she could leave the store, and the merchandise was recovered and returned.

Etheridge was charged with felony larceny and felony habitual larceny. Authorities said the habitual charge was filed due to multiple prior theft-related convictions, including shoplifting in Wilson County in Jan. 2025; larceny in Wayne County in April 2024; felony larceny in Pitt County in Feb. 2024; and misdemeanor larceny in Wilson County in Feb. 2024.

Etheridge was served with an outstanding warrant for driving while impaired and possession of drug paraphernalia stemming from a Jan. 23, 2026 incident on S. Brightleaf Boulevard.

Total bail on all charges was set at $50,000 secured.