Shoplifting Suspect Hits Target Store Security During Scuffle

A 16-year-old shoplifting suspect at the Target store at 8109 Mall Parkway in Lithonia got into a scuffle with security personnel trying to take her into custody, according to a DeKalb county police report.

Observing through surveillance cameras, the store's asset protection specialist told police he saw the suspect, of Atlanta, come into the store during the afternoon of Feb. 5 with about four other females.

The asset protection specialist, who recognized the suspect from a previous incident, began to follow her along the aisles. He told police he saw her remove cell phones from the shelves and put them in her purse.

The suspect and her companions passed all points of sale without paying for the phones, the report states.

When the specialist approached and tried to take her into custody, "the suspect became very aggressive and a fight ensued," the report states.

The suspect struck an officer in loss prevention during the scuffle, according to the report.

The asset protection specialist said an unknown female with the group picked up the purse with the cell phones and fled the scene.

The suspect and her sibling in the group were released to their grandmother.

The asset protection specialist said he would file petitions at a later date.