NP JC Penney’s Employee Charged with Felony Theft

An employee at JC Penney’s in North Platte is facing felony charges after she allegedly stole from the store.

On January 17, at around 12:30 p.m., officers with the North Platte Police Department responded to the report of an employee shoplifter at JC Penney’s, 1000 South Dewey Street.

Store staff alleged that an employee, 19-year-old Ketra Vlasin, had been stealing from the store.

According to Officer Rodney Brown, Vlasin would reportedly enter merchandise into the register, then void the transaction. She would then allegedly place the jewelry, household items or shoes in a bag and remove them from the store.

Brown said store staff estimates that Vlasin stole around $3,400 worth of merchandise, beginning in October of 2014. She had been employed at the store since October of 2013.

It was determined that there was probable cause to arrest Vlasin, and charge her with felony shoplifting.

She was transported to the Lincoln County Detention Center and jailed.

Last July, North Platte Police arrested three other JC Penney’s employees, Justin Bailey, Ashleigh Larson and a 17-year-old juvenile, for similar practices.