A Lakeland woman is accused of stealing donated clothes from a church, deputies said.
- Lakeland woman accused of stealing donated clothes
- Annie Southerland charged with burglary and grand theft
- Southerland said she couldn't afford to buy clothes
Annie Southerland, 54, was caught on surveillance video taking clothes from Saint Anthony Catholic Church.
Surveillance video shows Southerland driving around to the back of the church on May 14 and June 3 and taking bags of clothing from the donation box and loading them into her white Ford Taurus.
Once deputies made contact with Southerland, she confessed to stealing the items. She said she couldn't afford to buy clothing.
"Ms. Southerland could have simply asked the church for some clothes if she wasn't able to afford any. That's why people donate to churches - to help those who are less fortunate." - Sheriff Grady Judd
Southerland was arrested Wednesday and charged with burglary and grand theft. She was booked into the Polk County jail on $1,500 bond.
Officials said she has a criminal history, including arrests in the 1980s and 1990s for meth and marijuana.