AUBURN – A woman who allegedly stole an $8,500 ring from a Center Street jewelry store was arrested 90 minutes later at her home in Monmouth.

Lisa J. Randall, 41, was being held at the Androscoggin County Jail on a theft charge Wednesday, but her quick arrest failed to turn up the 2.15-karat diamond ring she is accused of taking.

“It’s a small, lady’s size ring,” said Auburn police Officer Don Gosselin. “You could hide it just about anywhere.”

Gosselin said a woman tried on several rings at Republic Jewelry & Collectibles on Tuesday afternoon before telling the clerk that she had seen enough and was ready to finish shopping for the day.

“She just casually started walking toward the door,” Gosselin said. But the clerk quickly discovered that the pricey ring had been taken, the officer said.

“She realized right away that it was gone and she yelled for the woman to come back,” Gosselin said. “She never even turned around. She just bolted for the door.”

The store clerk rushed outside, spotted the woman speeding off in a car, jotted down the license plate number and called police.

Randall, who matched the description given by police, was arrested at her home and taken to Auburn for questioning. Gosselin said the suspect first denied that she was in the jewelry store that day, but later admitted she was there but said she didn’t take the ring.

Randall was ordered held in lieu of $2,500 bail while awaiting an appearance in District Court.