Police said Leah Monique Nelson, 24, of 227 Dogwood Circle, Clinton, resisted officers after local merchants identified her as a suspect in the thefts. Officers found merchandise from Belk, Goody’s and Shoe Dept. in the vehicle, however Nelson reportedly did not cooperate with officers investigating the matter and was tased when she pulled away from police attempted to put her under arrest.
Nelson was subsequently charged with three separate counts of misdemeanor larceny and an additional count of resisting a public officer.
A man with her, Tyrone Bell, 20, of 5505 Mall St., Fayetteville, was charged with a single count of larceny in connection with a theft from Belk.
According to reports, police responded to Belk just before 4 p.m. Wednesday after receiving a call of a shoplifter at the store. Belk employees told officers that a man, identified as Bell, had taken items from the store and put them in a vehicle parked outside. The owner of the vehicle was in the area along with other occupants, including Nelson, reports state.
Bell was taken into custody as he walked back toward the vehicle. Upon searching the vehicle, officers found girls’ clothing items from Goody’s and Belk, as well as shoes from Shoe Dept. in a silver pocketbook.
Employees at Goody’s told police Nelson was carrying the pocketbook while inside the store earlier that day.
Nelson showed up as officers were looking over the items reported stolen and was placed under arrest. She initially began to walk away before being instructed to return to the scene. Nelson then repeatedly told officers she was “not going anywhere,” according to police.
According to police reports, Nelson struggled with officers attempted to handcuff her and jerked away from them with her child still in hand.
The baby was able to be secured by officers, who then attempted to handcuff Nelson. The child was given to a friend of Nelson’s. Reports state that the woman continued to resist arrest before being tased by an officer.
After being transported to the Sampson County Detention Center, Nelson refused to exit and was pulled from the patrol car, police said. Officers said she then refused to stand or walk to the magistrate’s office.
Investigators said Nelson was arrested in connection with the theft of $161 worth of items from Belk, $135.67 worth from Goody’s and $14.98 from Shoe Dept. Bell was charged with stealing $100 worth of items from Belk.
Nelson has been placed under $7,500 secured bond. Bell was placed under $2,500 bond.
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