Woman Who Got Life for Stealing 2 Purses Wants Plea Tossed

An Oklahoma City woman who received a life sentence after she pleaded guilty to shoplifting two purses from a Dillard's department store is asking that her plea be thrown out.

Before sentencing in March, Oklahoma County District Judge Ray Elliott called Cecelia Cathleen Rodriguez a "one-person crime wave" and noted that she's already been punished nearly 30 times for theft-related crimes, the Oklahoman and KOCO Channel 5 report.

"It’s past time to say, ‘Enough is enough,’” Elliott is quoted saying. "She needs to be warehoused for the rest of her life."

Rodriquez's attorney, Chris Daniels, says he was shocked by the sentence. He's appealing to have the plea tossed or the sentence significantly reduced.

In January, Rodriguez, 56, pleaded guilty to grand larceny. She had been caught stealing a $275 purse and a $380 purse to support her heroin addiction, according the news accounts.