‘Bubbly bandit’ turns herself in to police

A 49-year-old felon turned herself in to the police after images were released of her stealing $600 worth of Champagne from a California grocery store.

As reported by the San José Mercury News, Laurie Dawn Soderman turned herself in at the Santa Cruz police station at 1:30pm on Monday.

She was subsequently arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor theft and a probation violation, according to Santa Cuz police lieutenant Bernie Escalante.

Escalante told the San José Mercury News that Soderman was on felony probation and has “extensive” theft convictions.

Santa Cruz police have dubbed Soderman the “bubbly bandit” after CCTV footage showed her smuggling six bottles of Champagne under her jacket from local grocery store Shopper’s Corner on 19 January.

After pilfering the fizz, Soderman fled the store in a green Ford Explorer. She is currently being held at Santa Cruz County Jail in lieu of $1,000 bail.

This isn’t the first time a bubbly bandit has been caught red handed.

Last October, a French burglar was nabbed by police after opening a bottle of Champagne in the house he was robbing and forgetting to make a getaway.