March 17--NATCHEZ -- A Natchez woman has been charged for reportedly hitting a Natchez police officer with her car while attempting to flee with her baby after shoplifting at Walmart.
Natchez Interim Police Chief Danny White said Latosha Y. Jefferson, 28, 601 Old Washington Road, Apt. 19-A, was charged Thursday with felony shoplifting and aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer.
According to the police report, an off-duty police officer was approached by a Walmart asset protection officer Thursday night to assist in arresting Jefferson, who had reportedly stolen items from the store earlier in the day and returned in different clothing and was attempting to stuff stolen items into a diaper bag.
The off-duty officer contacted the department, and two on-duty officers were dispatched to Walmart. The report states Jefferson exited the store without paying for the items, and the asset protection officer instructed her to come back in the store. Jefferson then reportedly grabbed her baby in a carrier in her shopping cart and ran to her car.
The report states the officers pursued Jefferson and observed her throw her baby carrier in the front seat and lock the door. The officers surrounded the car and instructed Jefferson to get out of car. One of the officers got in the car on the rear driver's side and attempted to stop Jefferson from starting the car.
Jefferson reportedly backed the car up, then drove it forward hitting the officer in front of the car. The officer fell onto the hood of the car and rolled onto the ground uninjured. Jefferson then reportedly drove the car approximately 30 feet with one of the officers in the back seat. The officer was able to stop the car, and Jefferson was arrested.
White said Jefferson's baby was transported to NPD, where the baby was released to the father.
Jefferson is being held without bond.
Copyright 2012 - The Natchez Democrat, Miss.
