Winona Ryder: Actress and Shoplifter?

The actress was arrested at Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills on Wednesday, December 12, for allegedly shoplifting approximately $5, 000 worth of clothing and accessories. The 30-year-old actress was charged with felony grand theft and possessing pharmaceutical drugs without a prescription. After posting $20,000 bail she was finally released from custody around 11:30 that night. The police described her as being "very friendly, polite, cooperative and a nice lady" according to Eonline.com.

Beverly Hills Police Lieutenant Gary Gilmond stated at a press conference that Ryder was seen leaving the store with $4,760 in unpaid merchandise. He also stated that Ryder was trying to remove sensor tags from the clothing, an act which was caught on the store’s security camera. Ryder’s attorney, Mark Geragos, stated "There was no theft. I’m telling you right now there was no possession of prescription medications without a prescription. The charges, I’m convinced, once the Beverly Hills PD has a chance to investigate it, will be rejected." He also states it was a misunderstanding and that Ryder had receipts for the clothing and a prescription for the pills. Her attorney stated they were painkillers, although on report stated that they were Zoloft, an anti-depressant. According to both Gilmond and Geragos, Ryder showed no signs of being under the influence of narcotics at the time of her arrest. Her arraignment is slated for January 11 in Beverly Hills Superior Court.

Ryder has had back to back Oscar nominations with The Age of Innocence in 1994 and Little Women in 1995. Other film credits include Reality Bites and Beetlejuice. She has also executive produced and starred in Girl, Interrupted. Some of her choices have been less successful at the box office, such as Lost Souls and Autumn in New York. Romantically, Ryder has been linked with Johnny Depp, Matt Damon, Dave Pirnier of Soul Asylum, and singers Ryan Adams and Beck.