doris payne

International Jewel Thief Doris Payne Sentenced To Five Years

It's the end of the line for international jewel thief Doris Payne. The charming octogenarian, who was known using her beauty and style to beguile jewelry store employees into accidentally handing over the goods, has been sentenced to five years in prison for her latest caper, 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. Payne has admitted that she has stolen countless pieces of jewelry over more than six decades but in an interview with NBC San Diego she called the sentence unfair. She suffers from a lung disease and is concerned that she may go into respiratory failure.

Payne told NBC San Diego that she had wanted Queen Latifah to play her in the movie of her life. Halle Berry was attached to the project at one point although it's not clear if that movie is going forward. Payne's attorney is filing an appeal and Payne is hoping she can avoid prison for now and get medical attention. She expressed remorse and said she wants to get her book deal done and start a battered women's shelter.

Tags: doris payne, jewel thief

International Jewel Thief Doris Payne Awaits Sentencing

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Crimes and Misdemeanors

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