Suspect in stolen jug case

Potterville Police Chief Nick Jones tells News 10 the woman suspected of stealing a jug full of donations for a sick child has been found.

According to police reports News 10 obtained, 44-year-old Lorie Ann Hosford is the thief who stole the jug from a Potterville BP Station last week.

Chief Jones says after WILX News 10 aired surveillance video of the woman Wednesday night, his department received 15 to 20 tips from people ID'ing the woman. The police report says loss-prevention staff from Target and Meijer recognized her, as well as family members. According to reports, Hosford has had run-ins at those stores before.

When Hosford was identified, she was already in the Ingham County Jail, charged with felony shoplifting from Sears in Frandor earlier in the week; that's coming from Lansing Police. She also has a misdemeanor hold in Eaton County for shoplifting.

We spoke with Lynda Meade, mother of the sick little boy Cameron for whom the money is being raised. She says she still has compassion for this suspect.

"I hope she's given the chance to explain herself. I'm hoping this will be an opportunity for her to get some help," Meade says.