Serial shoplifter in New York with 37 charges dismissed by judge

A serial shoplifter arrested in a series of robberies at Duane Reade and CVS stores in lower Manhattan has been slapped with 37 criminal charges – but released by a city judge without bail.

Judge Paul McDonnell let Jacob Poole, who also goes by Jessica Poole, walk on probation after she was arrested on August 23 and charged with 18 counts of petty larceny, 18 counts of criminal possession of stolen property and one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance, according to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office.

Prosecutors had requested $10,000 bail, a DA spokesperson said.

Poole, 29, has a lengthy criminal record that includes 30 prior arrests for grand larceny, robbery, petty theft and drug-related offenses, cops and sources said.

Before the latest arrest, she was charged with two other petty larceny charges in Manhattan – one for stealing ice cream from a store freezer and the other for stealing candy from a shelf.

She’s been known to rob chain stores and sell anything she steals – sometimes leaking using Citi Bikes, sources added.

« It’s because of thieves like this that everything is locked up in stores, » said a Manhattan police officer. « Soon the only thing these shoplifters will be able to take is gum. »

“We need to keep criminals like this in jail, they terrorize neighborhoods,” another officer said. « Our justice system needs to realize that property crimes affect everyone: stores are closing, prices are going up, people are afraid to shop. »

A third officer has challenged Bragg’s bail request, as the prosecutor continues to face criticism for a lenient approach to bail and jail requests out of his office.

« The district attorney is cute asking for $10,000 bail, that way he can say, ‘don’t look at me, I asked for bail,' » the officer said. « He has to ask for a large bond, so it will be more difficult for these judges to release these repeat offenders. »

Poole’s recent binge dates back to April, when she took items like perfume, wipes, beef jerky and cologne from stores in Tribeca, Chinatown and the Lower East Side and walked out without paying , according to the criminal complaint against her.

She allegedly hit stores multiple times, including a Duane Reade on North End Avenue that she allegedly robbed seven times between April and July, the complaint says.

When Poole was arrested on Carlisle Street and Washington Street, an officer found two crack pipes in her bag, the complaint states. The circumstances of the arrest were not immediately clear.

Poole is due back in court on October 4.