Shoplifting Florida Woman Hides in Ceiling for 6 Hours

A Florida woman accused of shoplifting from a Big Lots climbed into the store's ceiling when she heard they were on the way — and stayed there for more than 6 hours.

The store's manager called authorities after the 37-year-old took an entire cart of merchandise into the women's restroom and used garbage cans as a makeshift barricade.

The manager called 911 yelled to the woman that deputies were on the way. Deputies arrived, along with the fire department for backup.

Deputies saw her several times as they removed tiles, but they say she ignored their commands to give up and kept moving throughout the ceiling.

The store was evacuated as authorities searched for the Florida woman with the fire department using ladders and a thermal imaging to help.

During the search one deputy found her purse in the ceiling and found 3 syringes and a spoon with a white residue on it, later identified as Morphine.

After 6 hours, the search was called off, with one deputy staying inside the store for surveillance. An hour later she climbed out of the ceiling and down a stack of shelves and was arrested when she reached the ground.

She is charged with felony criminal mischief, among many other charges.

The Big Lots suffered significant damage to its ceiling and drywall. It will be closed until repairs can be made.

Credit: CCSO