Do You Remember: When Winona Ryder Was Arrested for Shoplifting

In the ‘90s, there were few women in Hollywood cooler than Winona Ryder. In 1994, British Vogue crowned her a 'Hollywood princess’, and it seemed inevitable that she’d inherit the throne from her cinematic ancestors of Barbara Stanwyck, Gena Rowlands, and Morticia Addams. In the era of Gen-X alienation, she felt like the ideal exemplification of the times, both above it all but still embodying our neuroses and irritations. But she could do it all, from fevered historical dramas like Bram Stoker’s Dracula to the sparky independent wit of Jo March in Little Women. Producers heralded her wise-beyond-her-years energy and of-the-moment spiritedness. She even had a great guest-starring moment in The Simpsons as Lisa's rival, because of course even Lisa Simpson would be envious of Winona. For many critics, she was an Oscar winner in waiting who would easily endure beyond the ‘90s. In 2001, she was arrested for shoplifting.

I have a curiously clear memory of this happening, despite the fact that I was only 11 at the time and didn’t really know who Winona Ryder was. This story was so obsessively covered and positioned as yet another example of Hollywood diva selfishness gone awry. It seemed so baffling: why would a rich and famous woman with access to all the couture she desires go to a department store and start nicking the stock? It was a weird story that concealed something far darker.

(Image via Reddit.)

On December 12, 2001, Ryder was arrested and charged with shoplifting and illegal drug possession. She had gone to Saks Fifth Avenue in Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills. She was accused of trying to take clothing and hair accessories to the value of $4,760 (around $8,674 today.) According to The Guardian, "among the items were a $760 Marc Jacobs thermal top, a $540 Natori handbag, a $220 Eric Javits hat, a $750 Yves St Laurent blouse and a pair of Donna Karan cashmere socks, worth $80." She was also accused of carrying drugs on her for which she did not have a prescription. According to one security guard, Ryder was seen removing tags from the items. She was released from custody after posting bail of $20,000.