Former Miss El Paso Apologizes for Shoplifting
A former Miss El Paso USA apologized to the Dillards’ security guards after she was allegedly caught shoplifting, her arrest affidavit stated, wrote the El Paso Times.
Lorena Tavera, the 2008 Miss El Paso USA, was arrested in Sunland Park Mall, in El Paso, Texas on shoplifting suspicions at the Dillards store.
The security camera in the clothing store caught Tavera hiding a $69 Jessica-Simpson brand shirt into a plastic shopping bag. Dillards’ security guards stopped Tavera outside the store, when she tried to walk away with two of her friends.
Tavera reportedly handed over the shirt and apologized to the guards, according to the El Paso Times.
The former beauty queen is faced with theft charges of an item over $50 but under $500.
Tavera was booked into the El Paso County Jail early Saturday and was released that afternoon after posting a $728 bond, jail records stated.
Tavera told KTSM News on Monday, “I’m going to contact my lawyer. This story can’t run. It’s been misconstrued and twisted.”
Lorena Tavera currently has two outstanding traffic warrants.
She was crowned Miss El Paso Teen USA in 2006. Two years later, she won the 2008 title of Miss El Paso USA and placed sixth at Miss Texas USA.
Tavera’s professional background includes commercials, pictorials, print work, and various modeling jobs.