CLERMONT, Florida — March 2026
A 44-year-old Clermont woman was arrested after police say she attempted to steal clothing from a Target by hiding items in her backpack.
According to the Clermont Police Department, officers responded to the store at 2660 E. Highway 50 around 2:45 p.m. on Feb. 27 following a report of a theft in progress.
Loss prevention staff told officers that Naomi Francela Rojas had been observed on surveillance cameras concealing merchandise inside her backpack.
Surveillance footage details
According to the arrest report, store employees monitored Rojas as she:
Entered the women’s clothing section
Selected two clothing items, removed their hangers and placed them in her backpack
Moved to the activewear section
Picked up two more items and placed one in the backpack
Later concealed the other item while walking toward the front of the store
Rojas then proceeded to the self-checkout area, where she purchased an item that had not been placed in the backpack, police said.
Store personnel detained her near the grocery exit doors after she passed the checkout area.
Changing statements to police
According to the report, Rojas initially told officers she planned to return the merchandise in her backpack but did not have a receipt. She later changed her explanation, saying she intended to take the items but decided to pay for them after passing all points of sale.
Authorities also discovered that Rojas had two prior petit theft convictions dated Dec. 7, 2019, and Dec. 22, 2020.
Charge and bond
Rojas was arrested and charged with petit theft with two or more prior convictions.
She was booked into the Lake County Jail and later released after posting a $2,500 bond, according to police.
