However, the 50-year-old actress was subsequently released on USD 5,000 bail, reported E! online.
Richards, was taken to the Van Nuys Police Department, where she spent the night in jail but was released after being charged with a misdemeanour.
According to the authorities, the "Escape to Witch Mountainsh" actress stole items more than a worth of USD 600 from a store near her home in the San Fernando Valley.
The store security spotted her taking several items and placed her under a citizen's arrest until the police reached the place.