When you think of shoplifting, felony-level crimes probably aren’t the first thing that comes to mind. Instead, it’s likely images of teenagers sliding makeup or small clothing items into pockets and handbags instead.

Well, one group of five local women recently learned the hard way that shoplifting can indeed be a felony-level crime. The group of women engaged in organized retail theft with a shopping spree at a North Carolina mall, stealing products worth thousands of dollars from multiple stores.

Basic shoplifting in the state of North Carolina is a misdemeanor offense. When [...]