Catch Me Once, Shame on Me; Catch Me 73 Times, Shame on…

A 76-year-old woman busted for 73rd time denies she lifted a wallet; cops say otherwise

A New York City woman with a criminal record stretching back nearly four decades says she didn't steal the wallet that led to her 73rd arrest.

Cops arrested 76-year-old Katherine Kelly in a Manhattan supermarket last month when she allegedly snatched a wallet that officers had left in a shopping cart as bait. Kelly stuffed the wallet in her bra before attempting to take off, police said.

Kelly used a cane to hobble into Supreme Court on Monday. She pleaded not guilty to charges of grand larceny and possession of stolen property.

Prosecutors believe it was Kelly who showed up in court. They say the woman has used at least 36 aliases since December 1971, when she was arrested as Charlotte Martinelli and was charged with forgery. Authorities said she's been convicted at least 16 times in her criminal career.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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