International Jewel Thief Doris Payne Awaits Sentencing

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed)
Jan 14th 2011 at 6:01PM

International jewel thief Doris Payne proves you are never to old to have sticky fingers. Payne, who is 80, was convicted of walking in to a San Diego Macy's in January 2010 and walking out with a diamond ring worth nearly $9,000 that she did not pay for.

For decades, Payne has relied of her beauty and charm to beguile jewelry store employees into displaying treasures while she simply pockets the jewels when the clerk isn't looking. Payne has served time in six states and has a long Interpol record but ABC News reports that Payne's lawyer says that this conviction is a case of mistaken identity. The lawyer claims that Payne's notoriety has made made her an easy target. Halle Berry was attached to a project to play Payne in a big screen caper titled "Who Is Doris Payne?"

For her part, Payne seems to enjoy the attention, confirming that some of the stories about her, including legendary tales of thefts in Paris and Monte Carlo are true. She also can't seem to stay away from temptation, the LA Times says that a surveillance tape of her at a Scottsdale, Arizona Neiman Marcus store examining the jewelry counter may have played a role in keeping Payne from being released on bail while she awaits sentencing. Sentencing is scheduled for February 9.

Tags: doris payne, jewel theft