An Alice Police Department dispatcher was fired on Wednesday afternoon after she was caught shoplifting.
Police were dispatched to a store on the 1100 block of East Main Street where they made contact with the store’s loss prevention officer and the alleged shoplifter, later identified as Mary Alice Benavides.
“All I can tell you is that as of yesterday afternoon she no longer works for the department,” said Lt. Luis Barrera, support service. “For anything else I’d have to refer you to (the City of Alice's Human Resources Department)."
Benavides had been with the APD for approximately seven years. She also worked as a dispatcher with the Jim Wells County Sheriff's Department for 11 years, and one year at the Duval County Sheriff's Department.
According to police officials, Benavides allegedly stole makeup products that had a total value of $11.80.
Benavides was not arrested, but was cited for theft under $100, a Class C misdemeanor.