WESTPORT — A tell-tale trail of dirt helped police crack the case of purloined “decorative shrubs” from a Post Road East property.

Westport resident Lynn Sclafani, 59, has been charged in connection with the incident with third-degree larceny and first-degree criminal mischief.

Police were informed last Oct. 28 that some shrubbery had been dug up and stolen from property at 1141 Post Road East.

The officer sent to investigate the missing bushes “was able to follow a trail of dirt from [1141 Post Road East] to the apartment complex located at 1177 Post Road East,” according to the police account.

Several of the missing plants reportedly were found outside Sclafani’s apartment at that address, police said.

Surveillance video footage also showed Sclafani digging up shrubs at the scene of the theft, according to the report.

A warrant was issued for her arrest, and on Sunday she turned herself in at police headquarters.

Sclafani was released after posting $3,000 bond, and is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges Dec. 1 at state Superior Court in Stamford.