Delaware police say woman hid merchandise under children before chaotic store confrontation turned violent
WILMINGTON, Del. — A Delaware woman accused of hiding stolen merchandise beneath children in a stroller and wagon allegedly returned to the same Dollar Tree moments later to retrieve a dropped cellphone before pepper spraying two employees, police said.
Delaware State Police arrested 28-year-old Janaia Wright of Wilmington following the incident Sunday morning at the Dollar Tree located at 2103 Kirkwood Highway.
Troopers responded around 10:30 a.m. after receiving reports that two employees had been pepper sprayed by a shoplifting suspect.
Investigators said Wright allegedly concealed store merchandise beneath two children seated in a stroller and wagon before attempting to leave the business without paying.
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When confronted by employees, police said Wright abandoned the merchandise and exited the store with the children.
Authorities later learned Wright returned after realizing she had dropped her cellphone during the encounter.
According to investigators, Wright approached two employees upon returning and pepper sprayed both workers before fleeing again.
Police said Wright also knocked over a display while leaving the store, causing damage to merchandise.
One employee was treated at the scene for non-life-threatening injuries while the second employee declined medical treatment.
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Troopers located Wright outside the business and took her into custody without incident.
Wright was charged with two felony counts of second-degree assault involving disabling chemical spray, shoplifting under $1,500, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child and criminal mischief under $1,000.
She was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 11 and released on a $5,600 unsecured bond.
Key Points
- Delaware police said a Wilmington woman pepper sprayed two Dollar Tree employees during a shoplifting incident
- Investigators allege the suspect hid merchandise beneath children in a stroller and wagon
- Police said the suspect returned to the store after dropping her cellphone during the theft attempt
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