A Trion woman in her early 70s was taken into custody earlier this month in connection with a reported shoplifting case at a retail business on U.S. Highway 27, according to the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office. Officials identified the woman as 72-year-old Brenda Gail Reece.
Deputies responded to the store on December 10, 2025, after the business’s loss prevention team contacted authorities about a suspected theft. Investigators said Reece allegedly selected several items and used the self-checkout station but failed to scan all of the merchandise in her cart before exiting the checkout area.
The arrest report states the unpaid item had a value of $2.38. Law enforcement officers made contact with Reece inside the store and escorted her to the loss prevention office for questioning. She was later arrested without resistance.
Authorities noted that Reece had previously received a criminal trespass notice for the same property in September 2024, resulting in an additional charge.
Reece faces misdemeanor charges of theft by shoplifting and criminal trespass. She was transported to the Chattooga County Detention Center following her arrest.
