Former Olympic gymnast Korbut arrested for shoplifting

NORCROSS - Olga Korbut, a four-time Olympic gold medalist and darling of the 1972 Munich games, claims a misunderstanding led to her arrest on charges that she shoplifted $19 worth of groceries. <br> <br> The 46-year-old Korbut is charged with misdemeanor shoplifting for allegedly swiping cheese, chocolate syrup, figs, a box of Earl Grey tea and seasoning mix last night from a suburban Atlanta Publix, according to the arrest warrant. <br> <br> Korbut, who now lives in Norcross, could not be reached Friday for comment. Her manager, Kay Weatherford, said it&#39;s all a misunderstanding. <br> <br> Weatherford told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, ``She&#39;s embarrassed. But she thinks it&#39;s ridiculous.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> The manager said Korbut told her she mistakenly left her wallet in her car and wheeled her shopping cart to the door of the Norcross grocery with the intention of returning to pay for the items. <br> <br> Weatherford said, ``She was at the door, and they just assumed she was taking the buggy with her.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> An off-duty sheriff&#39;s deputy working as a security officer said she saw Korbut shoving the items inside her purse before walking out of the store between 5:30 and 6 p.m. and made the arrest, court records show. <br> <br> Korbut was released from the Gwinnett County jail at 11:30 p.m. Thursday after paying the 600 dollar bond in cash. <br> <br> A hearing in the case before a Gwinnett magistrate has been scheduled for Tuesday.