Skip to content

Repeat shoplifter accused of lashing out at store employees

37-year-old faces two counts of robbery and one count of resisting arrest
2020-08-04 City Police Stock BC
Sault Ste. Marie Police file photo. Brad Coccimiglio/SooToday

A 37-year-old was arrested for a weekend robbery in Sault Ste. Marie — then charged with a second robbery that occurred last summer.

At around 2:50 p.m. on June 9, police say a person brandished a knife and ran out of a Northern Avenue business after a staff member confronted them about placing items in a bag without paying.

Although the suspect was gone by the time officers arrived, a person matching the description was spotted a short time later on Great Northern Road. 

“Officers gained physical control of the accused, who resisted by attempting to pull away,” says a news release issued today by the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service. “They were arrested. A search of the accused found them to be in possession of a knife and a stolen item.”

Police say the same suspect was wanted in connection with a similar robbery on Aug. 2, 2023. During that incident, police say a shoplifter attempted to hit an employee with an object after being confronted about stealing items.

Jeannine Recollet, 37, is charged with:

  • Robbery x2
  • Resist Peace Officer
  • Fail to Comply with Appearance Notice

The accused was held in custody pending a bail hearing.

None of the allegations have been tested in court and Recollet is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.