Serial shoplifter busted after ‘stealing $20k worth of luxury goods’ but leaving a critical piece of evidence behind
James Austin
Published Sep 01, 2026
A WOMAN was arrested and accused of stealing over $20,000 worth of merchandise from several stores but was caught when she left her phone at the scene of the crime.
On Monday night, the Metro Nashville Police Department arrested Tawonda R. Parrish after her connection to multiple thefts.
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Police were dispatched to Nordstrom at Green Hills Mall in Nashville after they were told the store had a shoplifter in custody, according to local Fox affiliate station WZTV.
The store showed police a security video of Parrish putting nine pairs of sunglasses worth $3,591 in a bag and leaving without paying.
Police found that Parrish had five outstanding warrants and placed her under arrest.
In April, Parrish and another woman allegedly went to a Sunglass Hut at Green Hills Mall.
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The woman with Parrish spoke with employees while Parrish walked around and put 16 pairs of sunglasses, worth $10,000, into her purse, according to the arrest affidavits.
The affidavit stated that the woman with Parrish was unaware of the theft and identified Parrish to investigators.
Three months later, in July, Parris allegedly entered a Dillard's store with three other women.
They stole $7,295 worth of purses before running out of the store.
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One of the women dropped her phone as she ran out which allowed detectives to identify Parrish as a suspect in the theft.
The affidavit stated that based on information found on the phone, Parrish was "involved in selling stolen property."
In Memphis, Tennesse a man had his car stolen while he served his civic duty at jury duty in November.
The theft happened after 5 pm on November 1 across from the Judge Army Baily Courthouse, according to police reports.
Mitchell Rayl had parked his car across the street from the courthouse when after nine hours inside, he went outside to find his car gone.
Rayl told CBS-affiliated WREG-TV: “They need better accommodations for jurors. There is no secure parking.
“You get $11 dollars a day for being a juror.
"I pay $10 a day in parking so I’m getting a single dollar a day and now I’ve got to pay $20-30,000 for a car.”
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