Ryder charged over Beverly Hills theft

Winona Ryder was charged on four felony counts yesterday in connection with her arrest for shoplifting at an upmarket department store in Beverly Hills in December.

Prosecutors in Los Angeles said the actress, star of such films as Heathers, Age of Innocence and Girl, Interrupted, would face charges of theft, burglary, vandalism and possession of a controlled substance when she is formally arraigned in court next Friday.

The prosecution also said it would recommend increasing Ms Ryder's bail from $20,000 (£14,000) to $30,000.

Ms Ryder's lawyer had said the matter was a misunderstanding. The 30-year-old actress was accused of stealing goods worth $4,700 from the Saks Fifth Avenue store. Store security officers apprehended her when they saw her remove security tags from the items, put them in her bag and walk out. After she was arrested, police also accused her of possessing Oxycodone, a painkiller, without a prescription.