Banana Republic Thief Fails to Appear in Court

A woman accused of stealing from Banana Republic at Hillsdale Shopping Center in August failed to appear in court at her arraignment Tuesday.

Lupe Fielz Mercado, 37, of San Francisco, stole more than $200 worth of merchandise from the Banana Republic on Aug. 13, according to the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office.

Mercado allegedly walked into the store with a green grocery bag and proceeded to take three shirts valued at $228.50.

She placed the shirts in the green bag and walked out of the store without paying, prosecutors said.

A loss prevention officer witnessed the theft and tried to stop Mercado, but she refused to stop, according to prosecutors.

The officer followed her until a San Mateo police officer arrived and managed to stop Mercado. She allegedly had $151 in cash and several other empty green bags in addition to the stolen merchandise.

Mercado was due to appear in San Mateo County Superior Court on Tuesday for her superior court arraignment.

She is out of custody on a $10,000 bail bond, which the court forfeited after she failed to appear.

A bench warrant was then issued for Mercado, with bail set at $25,000.