Petty theft led to major felony charges after two women ran over a security guard at Greenspoint Mall during their getaway, Houston police said.
Tyronnisha Marie Johnson,21, and Bria Dominique Brock, 20, were charged with aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon.
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Loss prevention observed the two women stealing merchandise from the Macy's store on Aug. 30 and called for backup from mall security, according to court documents.
The loss prevention officer and two security guards followed the women to the parking lot and confronted them.
Surrounding the car, they demanded the women exit the vehicle and return the merchandise.
Ignoring those demands, Johnson started the car and accelerated. The car, a Kia, struck one of the security officers, causing him to fall onto the hood. Johnson then drove off, with the officer still holding on, police said.
The officer was clinging to the car as Johnson sped through the parking lot, swerving left to right in an attempt to throw him from the vehicle.
The officer yelled for Johnson to stop, which she did, at the end of the lot. After he landed on his feet in front of the car, Johnson allegedly struck him again to move him out of the way.
The officer struck the driver's side window with his fist, causing it to shatter. The women fled the scene.
The victim was transported to the hospital with multiple injuries. He suffered bruising and swelling to both shins, bruised ribs and several cuts to his right forearm and hand. He also had pain in his legs.
Houston police were given the license plate number of the vehicle the suspects were in, and pulled up the registration information. Police created a photo array based off the information and the victim positively identified Johnson.
A Macy's employee who also witnessed the incident recognized Brock as a former DeKaney High School classmate. Police went to the school and were given records containing Brock's personal information.
A photo lineup of Brock was then provided to the witnesses, and she was positively identified as well.
Police were also given surveillance video of the alleged theft inside the store and police said the women seen were clearly Brock and Johnson.
The total value of the stolen merchandise was $289.
Each woman was given a $30,000 bond.