CLEVELAND, Tenn. – Three Chattanooga women were arrested after Cleveland police say they attempted to steal more than $1,100 worth of merchandise from a Target store, leading officers to discover suspected illegal drugs and additional stolen merchandise inside their vehicle.
According to the Cleveland Police Department, officers responded on July 29, 2026, to Target, located at 4570 Frontage Road, after receiving reports that three women were actively concealing merchandise inside the store.
Loss Prevention Helped Stop Suspects
Target employees told officers the women had also been identified as suspects in recent thefts at other Target locations.
Working alongside Target loss prevention personnel, officers stopped the suspects after they passed all points of sale and attempted to leave the store without paying.
Police said the stolen merchandise recovered from the three women had a total value of $1,144.
Drugs and Additional Merchandise Found
During the investigation, officers searched the suspects’ vehicle and discovered what police described as a large quantity of merchandise bearing security tags from other Target stores.
Investigators also recovered:
- A white crystalline substance believed to be methamphetamine
- A bag containing a fine white powder believed to be cocaine
- A bag containing a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana
Multiple Charges Filed
All three suspects were transported to the Bradley County Justice Center.
30-year-old Dextiny Maxine Lasha Staples, of Chattanooga, was charged with:
- Shoplifting Over $1,000 (bond set at $500,000)
- Simple Possession of Marijuana
- Felony Possession of Cocaine
- Felony Possession of Methamphetamine
- Two counts of Criminal Impersonation
- One verified Cleveland Police Department warrant
Police also said Staples had outstanding warrants from Hamilton County, Blount County, and Metro Nashville.
31-year-old Keoshia Latrice Starling, of Chattanooga, was charged with:
- Shoplifting Over $1,000
35-year-old Jasmine Armour, of Chattanooga, was charged with:
- Shoplifting Over $1,000
- Two verified Cleveland Police Department for Theft from Building and Theft of Property
The investigation remains ongoing.
