Actress WINONA RYDER has been arrested for allegedly shoplifting items from Saks department store on Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills, California. The 30-year-old movie star was held for questioning by Beverly Hills police on Wednesday (12th December 2001) evening after security guards at the Wilshire Boulevard store allegedly caught her pinching goods.

Cops say she was caught with several articles of clothing and jewellery worth about $5,000 (£3,571) in total. Ryder was arrested and booked on charges of felony grand theft and possessing pharmaceutical drugs without a prescription. It's not yet known exactly what kind of drugs she was allegedly carrying.

The Hollywood beauty was released from custody later in the evening after posting $20,000 (£14,286) bail. Despite her supposed crime, Beverly Hills police described Ryder as "very friendly, polite, cooperative" and "a nice lady. " Representatives for Ryder were declining to comment yesterday (13th December 2001), pending a statement from the accused actress. She is due to be arraigned on 11 January (2001). (KW/WNWE/KL)

Source: WENN