USC recruit charged with shoplifting

South Carolina women’s basketball signee Monique Willis is being held in Chatham County (Ga.) jail, accused of trying to steal clothing at the Oglethorpe Mall, reported the Savannah Morning News.

Willis, who starred at Beach High School and is an 18-year-old senior, is facing charges of theft by shoplifting, simple battery and criminal damage to property.

Savannah-Chatham police say the 5-foot-8 guard and McDonald’s All-America Game nominee was shopping in Macy’s young men’s department Friday when a loss prevention officer spotted her switching price tags with a pair of shorts she already purchased.

Willis walked into another department of the store with the goods and allegedly told a cashier another employee forgot to remove a security tag, a police report stated.

Willis left the store and officers gave chase. She ran into two security guards and smashed through a glass door before being nabbed by a metro police officer, according to the police report.

She was treated for minor injuries at Memorial University Medical Center and booked into the Chatham County jail on Saturday. Willis remained in custody Tuesday night, said Chatham County Sheriff’s Lt. Tommy Tillman.

South Carolina women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley said in a statement, “We are aware of the recent legal issues surrounding signee Monique Willis. We will let the judicial process run its course before making any decisions on her status as part of our program.”

Willis was an early signee with the Gamecocks.

Macy’s will prosecute Willis, according to the police report. The incident was videotaped by surveillance cameras.