Boyle woman charged with stealing from Stanford porches

Stanford Police Detective Joe Gilliland displays an ornamental flower basket police believe was stolen by Lisha Hampton. So far, no one has come forward to claim many items allegedly stolen by Hampton. (Ben Kleppinger/ben@theinteriorjournal.com / September 20, 2012)

STANFORD — A Boyle County woman has been arrested for the second time in as many weeks for stealing crafts and primitives off of porches in northern Stanford.

Lisha Hampton, 51, has been charged with theft by unlawful taking, third-degree criminal trespassing, third-degree criminal mischief and driving under the influence of alcohol.

Stanford police arrested Hampton Monday night after “catching her in the act,” Detective Joe Gilliland said.

Hampton was caught with stolen items in the vehicle she was driving along Lee Drive, Gilliland said.

About two weeks ago, Hampton was arrested for similar charges after allegedly taking a flag and other porch decorations from multiple Stanford locations.

Gilliland said Hampton has admitted to selling items she has stolen, which have come largely from homes on the north side of Stanford.

“She loves the area up around Hilltopper (Drive), that whole area … everything north of the bypass,” he said.

Hampton currently is being held on a $10,000 cash bond in the Lincoln County Regional Jail.

Gilliland said while Stanford police have returned some items allegedly stolen by Hampton, they still have more items that no one has claimed.

He encouraged anyone who has noticed items missing from outside their homes in the last two weeks to call the Stanford Police Department at (606) 365-4525.