LEOMINSTER – On Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, at approximately 4:41 p.m., Leominster Police Officer Brandon Carlson was dispatched to the Target at 86 Orchard Hill Park Drive following a report that a shoplifting incident just occurred.
(The account and quotations in this article were sourced from the printed Personnel Narrative of Officer Brandon Carlson and do not reflect any political perspective or personal opinion of News Link Live, which is strictly a business entity.)
“Dispatch advised the two females were in the loss prevention office but were refusing to identify themselves,” Officer Carlson said.
Officer Carlson said that upon arrival, he spoke with loss prevention personnel, who informed him that Emmaleigh Newton had been observed on surveillance footage tearing a price tag off a purse and placing items inside it.
According to police, Emmaleigh R. Newton, 18, is a resident of Fitchburg, MA.
“Emmaleigh was also observed placing items underneath a baby carriage, concealing them,” Officer Carlson said.
The total value of the merchandise Newton allegedly concealed was $742.91.
“The items concealed were toys, and clothing apparel,” Officer Carlson said. “Target was able to supply receipts of the items.”
Officer Carlson said that when he spoke with Newton, he asked her why she stole the items.
“Emmaleigh stated she needed clothes for her 1-year-old [daughter],” Officer Carlson said. “Emmaleigh had no way to positively identify herself.”
Officer Carlson said that Newton was then placed under arrested for shoplifting by concealment and transported to the Leominster Police Department for booking.
“I then spoke with the other female…regarding the shoplifting,” Officer Carlson said. “[The woman] stated she was with her daughter, Emmaleigh, but didn’t know she was stealing.”
Newton’s mother told Officer Carlson she was pushing the shopping cart and never looked under the baby stroller.
“[Newton’s mother] stated it was all Emmaleigh and she had nothing to do with it,” Officer Carlson said. “I was able to see the security camera footage and didn’t observe [Newton’s mother] selecting any merchandise or concealing anything under the cart.”
Officer Carlson said he informed Newton that he would be contacting the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF) because she allegedly committed the shoplifting offense while her 7-month-old child was with her.
Emmaleigh R. Newton, 18, of Fitchburg, was charged with:
- Shoplifting by Concealing Merchandise
Newton was arraigned in Leominster District Court on Sept. 21, 2026. Following her arraignment, Newton was released on personal recognizance.
Newton’s next court date is scheduled for Oct. 8, 2026.
Disclaimer: If you are wondering why the incident in this story took place in September, that’s because I had to file FOIA request(s) to obtain the court documents. FOIAs are time-consuming.
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