Oneida County, New York, police had to use force recently to catch a shoplifter outside of a local Dollar Tree, according to the Rome Sentinel.The report said the suspect, a 26-year old woman, had been confronted by the assistant manager and asked to leave the store as she has shoplifted from this establishment in the past.
During this time, the suspect refused to leave prompting the manager to call the police. Upon arrival, the suspect refused to pay for her items, she then left the store with stolen merchandise while the cops told her repeatedly to stop.
As she made it outside, officers attempted to handcuff her, but she managed to get away and proceeded to run and scream through the parking lot.
At this time, police began chasing after the suspect who was running wild, according to witnesses. They used a Taser and pepper spray to calm the suspect.
One officer was finally able to wrestle the shoplifter to the ground and take her into custody. She has been charged with two counts of second-degree harassment and one count of disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and trespass, according the police.
You can never be too careful when dealing with unstable persons. In this case, the personal safety of both the store employees and those in the parking lot were in jeopardy. Those involved had to react appropriately during this unruly situation.
