Woman Allegedly Armed With Stun Gun Stole 80 Cartons Of Cigarettes From Store

A 43-year-old woman in Alabama was arrested for allegedly stealing 80 cartons of cigarettes over a two-day period from a convenience store in the city of Hoover, police said.

The woman, identified as Gwendolyn Braswell, of Bessemer, was charged with second-degree robbery and first-degree theft for stealing the cigarettes from a Circle K in John Hawkins Parkway on Tuesday and Wednesday, WIAT reported.

The woman allegedly walked into the store at 6:24 a.m. Tuesday and entered the stockroom, where she placed 50 cartons of cigarettes in a plastic bag, Al.com reported, citing Capt. Keith Czeskleba.

After managing to leave the store without incident the first time, Braswell allegedly returned to the store the following day and stole another 30 cartons of cigarettes at 5:15 a.m. using the same method. This time, however, a store clerk tried to stop her.

The woman allegedly threatened the unnamed employee with a stun gun as he tried to stop her from leaving. An unidentified male accomplice allegedly intervened and overpowered him, and they were able to flee in a black SUV.

Hoover officers were able to trace the vehicle and stopped it Thursday in the 2300 block of John Hawkins Parkway, where they arrested Braswell.

The woman is now at the Jefferson County Jail on bonds totaling $30,000. She is awaiting trial on charges of burglary, criminal mischief, theft and more in connection to another incident in 2020.

Police said Braswell also allegedly drove a vehicle into a Home Depot in Trussville, Alabama, in August 2020 and stole a leaf blower and a dehumidifier. The whole incident was captured on video by a customer.

Braswell also has a previous burglary conviction.

Police are still trying to identify and locate the male accomplice of Braswell. People with information on the suspect can call Det. Joe Nickelson at 205-444-7620 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.