Mississippi: Richland officer almost hit by alleged shoplifter
Police say a Richland K-9 officer barely escaped serious injury Friday when he was almost hit by a car driven by an alleged shoplifter. In a post on Facebook, Richland Police Chief Russel James released a security video at Walmart that shows an officer and his K-9 narrowly avoiding being hit by a vehicle.
James says the two suspects had allegedly been to the same store, driving the same vehicle, four times in recent days. The loss prevention officer hadn't been able to get to them, but on Friday, Richland PD had gotten a heads up that they were there in time to get to them. When the Richland officer drives up and gets out of his cruiser, the vehicle the suspects appear to be loading speeds off.
The passenger side door was open, James said, and hit the officer. "It was a really good job by the officer to keep his footing, because the other suspect is still sitting there looking at him," James said. "He was able to spin all the way around and get back to this guy, who he doesn't know, could have had a gun. You just never know in these situations."
Meanwhile, the first suspect attempts to escape in the car, through the parking lot.
"He tears through the parking lot as fast as that guy could go. Right up through the main entrance there," James said. "It could have been anybody -- it was by the grace of God that nobody else got hit."
The fleeing suspect led police on a short chase and was apprehended on Highway 49. "These criminals were not coming to enjoy any of the peaceful activities offered in our city. They were not coming to shop in our stores or eat in our restaurants," James wrote on Facebook. "They were coming to break the law, and as the video shows, they are willing to hurt or injure anyone who stands against them. It is because of cowards like these that pursuits happen and innocent people are injured."
James said shoplifting can escalate into a more serious crime very quickly. A few months ago some shoplifters dragged a loss prevention officer through the parking lot of a retail store, James said. "They do not care," he said. "The law makes no difference to them."
"We have no choice but to stand against this lawlessness," James wrote. "These thieves are not stealing bubble gum and baseball cards; they are dangerous felons who need to be in prison." Both suspects are awaiting a preliminary hearing in Rankin County, James said. Their names were not immediately available because of the Easter holiday.
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