BOCA RATON, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2026) — Two Boca Raton women have been charged in a felony retail theft case stemming from a series of alleged thefts at a Lowe’s Home Improvement store in unincorporated Boca Raton, according to court records filed in Palm Beach County.
The case centers on Mary Lou Bole, 61, and Barbara Denise Shortt, 50, both charged with Retail Theft (Aggregated) under Florida law. Court documents allege the two women worked together during multiple visits to the Lowe’s Home Improvement located at 21870 South State Road 7, with the incidents occurring over several dates in December 2025.
According to arrest and probable cause affidavits, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office began investigating after Lowe’s loss prevention reported several delayed theft incidents involving two unidentified white female suspects. The incidents were documented on December 1, December 6, December 11, and December 22, with store surveillance later reviewed by investigators.
Loss prevention records indicate deputies were provided video surveillance showing the same two suspects selecting merchandise and passing all points of sale without paying. The total value of the merchandise alleged to have been taken across the four incidents was $1,393.11, prompting investigators to consolidate the incidents into a single aggregated retail theft charge.
Investigators identified a white Jeep bearing Florida license plate DQ92CM as the suspect vehicle. Records state the vehicle is registered to Bole. Deputies later conducted a traffic stop involving the Jeep on January 21, 2026, at Clint Moore Road and State Road 7.
During the stop, deputies identified the driver as Mary Lou Bole and the passenger as Barbara Denise Shortt, according to the arrest reports. Investigators noted both women matched the individuals seen in Lowe’s surveillance footage from the December incidents.
Court filings state that Bole acknowledged being present during the theft incidents but denied stealing merchandise. Shortt was also identified through visible tattoos captured on store surveillance footage, which investigators cited as a distinguishing feature during the identification process.
Records further indicate Shortt was on active felony probation at the time of the alleged thefts. As a result, she also faces an additional charge for Violation of Probation (Street Violation) connected to the new arrest.
Bole was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail on January 21 and later released after posting a $5,000 surety bond. Jail records show her release occurred in the early hours of January 22. Shortt remained in custody following her arrest, with court records reflecting a $10,000 bond set in her case.
Both cases were assigned to circuit court. Judges ordered standard conditions, including no contact with the Lowe’s location tied to the case. Court calendars show the State Attorney’s Office has been given until February 26, 2026, to formally file charging documents.
As with all criminal cases, the charges represent allegations and have not been proven in court.
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