Two-time Oscar nominee Winona Ryder was arrested on Wednesday for shoplifting at the posh Saks Fifth Avenue department store in Beverly Hills. Clerks allegedly caught the Girl, Interrupted beauty on camera tearing security tags off $5,000 worth of merchandise before cramming the goods into her bag. The 30-year-old actress was charged with grand theft but released on $20,000 bail, a police source confirms.
Winona’s attorney insists the incident is merely a misunderstanding, and predicts the charges will eventually be dismissed. “It will become clear that there was no theft here,” assures lawyer Mark Geragos. “Ms Ryder had no intent of depriving anybody of any property.” Among the items she allegedly snagged were clothes, a handbag and assorted hair accessories.
The Little Women star was anything but a diva, reports Beverly Hills Police Lieutenant Gary Gilmond, who called her “very courteous, polite, friendly - a true lady”. Officers also found a small, unmarked bottle of prescription pills in her bag. She was subsequently booked for possessing pharmaceutical drugs without a prescription, though her lawyer dismisses the claim. Geragos says they are prescribed pain killers, but remained mum on why she is taking them.
Both Winona and the Saks retailer declined to comment. The Heathers actress is scheduled to be arraigned on January 11 before a Los Angeles County judge.
Her next film, the comedy Deeds co-starring Adam Sandler, is set to hit theatres next summer. She had begun filming the British indie flick Lily And The Secret Planting in August but dropped out due to illness.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
