Four arrested in Macy’s ‘grab and run’ theft, attack
PALO ALTO >> Police on Sunday arrested four women on suspicion of stealing more than $5,000 worth of clothing from the Macy’s at Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto.
Officers were dispatched to the department store about 3:50 p.m. for reports of a “grab and run” theft, said Palo Alto police spokeswoman Janine De la Vega in a news release Monday.
De la Vega said an investigation revealed that a customer witnessed the women stealing armloads of clothing and shoes. The witness then started taking video of the suspects and followed them.
One of the suspects became agitated that she was being recorded, De la Vega said, and “lunged at the witness and kicked her in the buttocks.” The witness, however, was not injured.
De la Vega said the suspects dropped some of the items as they left the store, got into a vehicle and drove away. The witness followed them into the parking lot and called police with their descriptions.
Officers stopped the vehicle at University Avenue and Donohoe Street in East Palo Alto. They found thousands of dollars worth of clothing inside the vehicle, De la Vega said.
“Police collected evidence and conducted interviews and determined the suspects had conspired to steal at the shopping center for the purpose of selling the items,” De la Vega said.
Officers arrested Antioch residents Nicole Garner, 28, and Destiny Shephard, 19, and East Palo Alto residents Haley King and Janera Fraser, both 19. They were booked into Santa Clara County jail on charges of organized retail theft, grand theft and possession of stolen property.
De la Vega said Fraser was booked on an additional charge of battery for allegedly kicking the witness.