JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) – A Jonesboro school principal arrested Saturday night for shoplifting has been placed on leave.

According to a statement from Superintendent Dr. Kim Wilbanks, Douglas MacArthur High School Assistant Principal Erin Nicole Hodges “has been placed on administrative leave while we review the situation in accordance with district policies.”

Jonesboro Public Schools is aware that Assistant Principal Erin Hodges was arrested for shoplifting over the weekend. Although this incident is unrelated to the principal’s duties in the school district, we take these allegations seriously. Ms. Hodges has been placed on administrative leave while we review the situation in accordance with district policies. JPS is committed to holding all employees to a high standard of professionalism and trust in the school environment and community.

At approximately 7:35 p.m., Oct. 26, a Jonesboro police officer responded to Target, 3000 E. Highland Dr., in reference to a suspect “concealing items in a manner to defraud the business.”

According to the initial incident report, surveillance video showed Hodges grabbing two of the same shirts and placing them inside each other before folding them and placing them in the cart.

A store employee said he saw Hodges do it with “three different shirts and jackets.”

When he went to check, the incident report said, “(Hodges) only scanned and paid for the three items of clothing that were on the outside.”

When store employees stopped Hodges, “they found a few more items that she didn’t scan at checkout and that she was trying to leave the store with. These items consist of several types of air fresheners.” All items totaled $82.

Police arrested Hodges, 44, on suspicion of theft of $1,000 or less. She was booked into the Craighead County Detention Center at 10:37 p.m., Oct. 26.

She was released at 9:44 p.m. on her own recognizance “due to overcrowding,” according to the sheriff’s office.

Hodges will appear in Craighead County District Court to answer the charge on January 6, 2025.

According to the district online licensed employee contract informationHodges is paid $92,353.68 annually.

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