Suspect in seafood swipe snagged

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PALATINE BRIDGE - Montgomery County sheriff's deputies have reeled in one woman suspected of stealing $1,000 worth of seafood and trying to steal another $800 worth of groceries from a village Price Chopper, but her alleged accomplice remains at large.

Deputies arrested Heather M. Rimmer, 32, of 488 Marilyn Drive in Utica, at her home Tuesday and charged her with felony fourth-degree grand larceny and attempted petit larceny. She was also arrested by state police at Richfield Springs, Otsego County, on a petit larceny charge for allegedly stealing two air conditioners from a Price Chopper there.

"She didn't want to [commit the crimes] in her hometown," Montgomery County Sheriff's Investigator Barry Serpa said.

The two were caught on a store security camera taking the items in the Palatine store, and Serpa said images from the camera helped investigators zero in on the pair.

Police are still looking for Felicia A. Tulej, who is suspected of committing the crimes along with Rimmer and who Serpa said also lives in Utica. The Sheriff's Office has issued an arrest warrant for her through Palatine Town Court.

Rimmer was released on appearance tickets and was handed over to Richfield Springs police, who also released her on an appearance ticket. She is to reappear in Palatine Town Court on June 9.

The women are suspected of committing at least three crimes in the Price Choppers in Palatine Bridge and Richfield Springs. In their most recent alleged attempted heist May 3, the two women loaded up their carts with crab legs, meat, cleaning supplies, diapers, a laundry basket and $509 in razors, authorities said. In all, the two had $892 worth of merchandise in their two carts, authorities said.

They tried to leave through an exit door but found it locked, authorities said. One of the women then unlocked the door and the two began to make their way out, but upon seeing an employee, Rimmer walked back in and asked a cashier to ring up the items, authorities said.

She then asked Tulej to "get her card out of the car," and when Tulej did not return, Rimmer walked out after her, authorities said. Employees then realized the two could be the same women who stole from the store three months prior, authorities said.

On Feb. 6, the two women entered the village Price Chopper and loaded up two carts with about 90 pounds of seafood and walked out without paying, authorities said.

The alleged shellfish thieves made off with 35 pounds of scallops and 55 pounds of shrimp, valued at about $13 per pound and $9 per pound, respectively, authorities said.

Tulej has blonde hair. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 853-5500.