WALDORF, Md. – On April 24 at 6:18 p.m., patrol officers responded to a call for a theft in progress at a beauty shop in Waldorf. When officers arrived, the suspects had fled. A preliminary investigation revealed two suspects entered the business.
One of the suspects grabbed multiple packages of hair products and attempted to leave without paying. Store employees tried to stop them, at which time one of the suspects produced pepper spray and sprayed the employees in the face, incapacitating them. The suspects fled in a dark colored vehicle.
While canvassing the surrounding area, officers received information that the suspects were actively involved in another theft at a different beauty supply store. Officers entered the store and observed the suspects. One of the suspects attempted to flee but was apprehended. The other suspect was arrested without further incident. Pepper spray was recovered from one of the suspects.
Amonie Lashawn Anderson, age 23, of Washington, D.C. was charged with theft scheme. Diamond Markevia Shepard, age 31, of Washington, D.C. was charged with robbery, aggravated assault and other related charges.
On April 25, a district court commissioner released Anderson from the Charles County Detention Center (CCDC) on personal recognizance. On April 27, the court ordered Shepard to be released from the CCDC on the condition she meets the criteria for electronic monitoring.
Remember when store employees would get fired if they even looked at a thief?!? So now they are allowed to stop them but with what? Their bare hands? This whole thieves carrying pepper spray is relatively new in recent years. If we’re going to encourage stopping theft then the employee’s need tools, weapons, their own pepper spray etc. I wouldn’t be able to do it because the moment I thought the lady is pulling out pepper spray I would be punting her like a football.