Crime & Safety

Alleged Shoplifter Struggles With Police

The 29-year-old allegedly stole numerous items from The Gap earlier this week.

 

A 29-year-old Salem woman struggled with police at the Swampscott Mall Tuesday before they placed her under arrest.

Monique Whigham, 1000 Loring Ave., was released on personal recognizance bail on Tuesday, Dec. 4, at Lynn District Court on charges of shoplifting and resisting arrest.

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Shortly before noon on Tuesday a police officer was dispatched to 450 Paradise Road where he received a report that a woman had placed items from The Gap clothing store in her bag and it was unclear whether she intended to pay for them.

Soon thereafter a store employee came outside and told the officer the woman had left the store without paying for items.

Find out what's happening in Swampscottwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A police officer pulled his cruiser next to the suspect and, as he attempted to put her hands on the car, she struggled, according to court documents.

Another officer arrived and they struggled for a few minutes to bring the woman under control, the record states.

Police handcuffed the suspect and found a sweater under her arms and 10 store items in her bag, valued at $217.

The suspect was booked at the Swampscott Police Station and transported to Lynn District for arraignment.

She is due back in court for a pretrial hearing on Jan. 24.


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