EUGENE, Ore. -- A former Rose princess was arrested in Eugene Sunday in connection with what police think was a shoplifting spree -- a claim she denied.

The Rose Festival Foundation said it was disappoined to learn of the accusations involving Mercedes Whitecalf, but during her time as princess representing Jefferson High School in 2007, she carried the crown with honor, along with the rest of the court.

The arrest occurred after an employee at the Fifth Street Market boutique told officers some shoplifting suspects were in a nearby clothing resale store Sunday afternoon, according to Eugene Police. Police found and interviewed 19-year-old Mercedes Whitecalf and two 16-year-old girls.

Investigators were led to a suspect’s car in the lot, which was opened to reveal thousands of dollars clothing, jewelry, makeup and perfume that police said was all stolen from Valley River Center Mall and Fifth Street Market stores.

The three were cited for theft and released.

Whitecalf was crowned a 2007 princess from Jefferson High, and was awarded a Horatio Alger scholarship and a Millennium scholarship from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. She has been attending the University of Oregon.

Rose Festival officials released a statement Thursday regarding Whitecalf's arrest.

They said Whitecalf fulfilled her responsibilities to the Rose Festival in 2007. The statement went on to say that getting selected for the Rose Court is not just an honor, it's a responsibility and every princess must make a major commitment of time and energy.

"The Rose Festival Court has been a showcase for outstanding young women in our community for decades. Hundreds of women have represented their schools and their community over the past century. The Portland Rose Festival Foundation is surprised and disappointed to have the name of a former Rose Festival princess associated with this type of story," the statement said.

Whitecalf told KGW Wednesday she was unaware that anything had been shoplifted from the stores.

Nichole Maher Executive director of the Native American youth and Family Center, where Whitecalf volunteered, said “She has been an upstanding role model. She has exhibited nothing but honesty, integrity, and commitment to the Native American community."