SALISBURY — Melanie Ann Pruitt of Salisbury was convicted on Jan. 31 in Rowan County Criminal Superior Court of felony habitual larceny, and she admitted to her status as a habitual felon, authorities said.

Judge Casey Viser sentenced Pruitt to a minimum of 66 months to a maximum of 92 months in prison.

On March 21, 2013, officers with the Salisbury Police Department were dispatched to Marshall’s clothing store in response to a report of a larceny. The store’s loss prevention officer said that Pruitt took clothes from the store valued at $86.91.

When the loss prevention officer confronted Pruitt, she tried to run but was apprehended. Pruitt initially provided police officers with a false name.

Pruitt had previously been convicted of four misdemeanor larceny charges, making her eligible for felony habitual larceny status. In addition, Pruitt had previously been convicted of two separate counts of felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance and felony possession of cocaine.

Rowan County District Attorney Brandy Cook said she appreciated the joint effort on behalf of Assistant District Attorney Barrett Poppler and the Salisbury Police Department in holding Pruitt accountable for her criminal conduct. Cook said her office identified Pruitt as a repeat offender at an early stage and her sentence was enhanced accordingly.