74-year-old remains jailed on multiple theft charges

David Kihara

Thursday, Aug. 11, 2005 | 11:06 a.m.

Doris Payne, a 74-year-old internationally-known accused jewelry thief, remained jailed this morning at the Clark County Detention Center on multiple theft charges, authorities said.

Payne was arrested by Metro Police on July 13 at a Neiman Marcus store for shoplifting and grand larceny, said Metro Sgt. Murray Tobiason of the property crimes detail. Payne allegedly stole $2,700 worth of women's underwear from the upscale store, he said.

A store employee had recognized Payne as the woman who was suspected of allegedly stealing a ring from another Neiman Marcus store in Northern California, he said.

Payne was wanted in California for allegedly stealing a $31,500 ring from one of the chain's stores in Palo Alto, according to that city's police department.

Payne has "been a jewelry thief since she was 19-years-old," said Palo Alto Police Det. Kara Apple, spokeswoman for the department, noting that Payne has been convicted of jewelry theft in several countries.

Payne is also wanted in Illinois for an outstanding arrest warrant and is on parole in Colorado for stealing a $57,000 diamond ring from a Neiman Marcus store in August 1998, according to the Palo Alto Police Department and news reports.

Described as a classy dresser and "disarmingly charming" by the media, Payne has reportedly spent more than five decades stealing jewelry across America and Europe and has been responsible for more than 400 thefts, according to news reports.

She reportedly used multiple aliases and served time in Monte Carlo, England and in at least six states in America. In Las Vegas, Payne was originally booked for larceny, burglary, stolen property under the name "Louise Davis," according to the detention center.

Payne's alleged method of theft is simple, according to news reports and the Palo Alto Police Department: She walks into a jewelry store wearing elegant clothing and chats up the salesperson. When the salesperson is sufficiently distracted, she simply walks off with the jewelry.