PORTLAND — A Portland woman faces robbery charges after she allegedly stole a cash register from a children’s indoor play area on Forest Avenue today.

Police arrested Deidre Hoffman, 45, at her home at 11 Forest Park, after witnesses in the neighborhood saw her carrying a cash register down Dartmouth Street. They recovered the damaged $250 register and the small amount of cash inside, said Lt. Gary Rogers.

Police say Hoffman initially entered another business at 495 Forest Ave., Movie Video Systems, and threatened the clerk, saying she had a weapon. The clerk said he had no money and she left.

Hoffman then went next door to Greenlight Studio and demanded all the money in the register. The business’s website says it offers a play area for children and their caregivers. The clerk refused but the woman was insistent, and eventually the clerk and a customer retreated to another room and locked the door.

When they came out, the register was gone. Nobody was injured in the incidents.

Hoffman is being held on $10,000 bail at Cumberland County Jail.


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