Bismarck police arrested 13 people for shoplifting and investigated another case over the weekend.

Deputy Chief Dan Donlin said the cases do not seem to be connected.

Of the 13 people arrested, 12 were arrested at Kirkwood Mall stores, while one man was arrested for allegedly trying to steal a bottle of rum from Polar Package, 2150 E. Thayer Ave. That case will be referred to the city attorney's officer, Donlin said. Officers also investigated a theft from Herberger's, in the mall, but no one was arrested.

"That seems to be a quite higher number than we're usually accustomed to," Donlin said.

Among the more interesting cases pursued by police were the following arrests:

- A 7-year-old Bismarck girl and an 8-year-old Bismarck girl were cited with shoplifting after an employee at Wireless Concepts, in Kirkwood Mall, spotted the girls standing by a cellular phone display where phones were missing. One girl was holding one phone, and the other had two phones. Further investigation showed the girls were in possession of more than $275 in property from Limited Too, Lee's Hallmark, Target, Vanity, Spencer Gifts, and Wet Seal.

Donlin said one girl said her mother was intoxicated, so the girls rode their bikes to the mall. The girls were released to one of the girl's grandfather, and a report will be sent to social services.

- Michelle L. Weigel, 26, was charged Monday with Class C felony theft of property for allegedly stealing $835 in property from Scheels. South Central District Judge Tom Schneider set bond for her at $1,000 cash or surety.

Donlin said Weigel was arrested after Scheels security spotted her trying to leave the store with a cart full of property, which included shirts, hats, shoes, a coat and a jacket.

Burleigh County Assistant State's Attorney Julie Lawyer said Weigel also faces a separate charge of theft of property from a shoplifting incident. Weigel is slated to change her plea on that charge, a misdemeanor, on Jan. 31.

- An 8-year-old Bismarck boy and a 10-year-old Bismarck boy were cited with shoplifting for allegedly stealing necklaces from Spencer Gifts on Sunday.

- A 20-year-old Mandan woman was arrested for allegedly stealing more than $80 in shotglasses and onesies from Spencer Gifts on Friday. The case was referred to the city attorney.

- A 17-year-old Bismarck boy was cited with shoplifting for allegedly stealing fake cigarettes from Spencer Gifts on Sunday. He also was cited with minor in consumption, because an officer smelled alcohol on his breath.

- A 16-year-old Bismarck girl and a 16-year-old Mandan girl were cited with shoplifting for allegedly stealing more than $220 in items from Target on Saturday. Among the items were socks, necklaces, two-way radios and a "Bible book," according to a police report.

- A 17-year-old Williston girl was cited with shoplifting for allegedly stealing candy and lip balm from Spencers Gifts on Saturday.

(Reach reporter Jenny Michael at 250-8225 or jenny.michael@bismarcktribune.com.)