Shoplifter beats clerk with fire extinguisher before running, police say

HOUSTON – A woman who was caught shoplifting Thursday at a northeast Houston convenience store beat the clerk with a fire extinguisher before fleeing the scene, police said.

The incident was reported about 3:30 a.m. at Eastex Freeway and Crosstimbers Street.

Houston police said the clerk caught the woman trying to steal something and locked the front door while he called the police. The woman grabbed a fire extinguisher and began hitting the clerk with it, police said. She later grabbed a ladder, shattered the glass door and ran from the store, police said.

The clerk was not seriously injured.