PARAMUS, N.J. — A Friday shoplifting spree at Garden State Plaza turned into a wild police chase when a woman allegedly tried to run down a Paramus cop before crashing near an animal hospital, according to police.
Paramus police were alerted to a theft at Lululemon around 12:11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, Police Chief Robert Guidetti said.
Two women had allegedly removed anti-theft sensors from several pieces of clothing and left without paying. Crime Suppression Officer Matthew Mulick later spotted them entering SKIMS, where they selected clothing and went into a fitting room.
The women allegedly left the store without making a purchase and headed toward a mall exit before getting into a white Mercedes.
When officers tried to stop the vehicle, the driver, identified as 24-year-old Teonmi-Allaqua Lincoln of Brooklyn, allegedly refused commands to stop and intentionally accelerated toward a Paramus police officer.
The officer was forced to move out of the way to avoid being struck, according to police.
Lincoln sped away onto local roads before failing to make a turn at A&S Drive. The Mercedes struck a curb and street sign, left the roadway and came to rest on an embankment near the Oradell Animal Hospital property.
Lincoln and her alleged accomplice, 27-year-old Kimora Sledge of Brooklyn, then ran from the vehicle.
Officer Julia Koenemund and Emergency Services Officer Ted Cebulski found and arrested both women without incident.
Police recovered $1,660 worth of stolen merchandise, including 12 pieces of Lululemon clothing valued at about $1,496 and three SKIMS items valued at about $164. Officers also recovered a large magnet commonly used to defeat anti-theft sensors.
Lincoln was charged with aggravated assault against a law enforcement officer with a motor vehicle, eluding on foot, possession of stolen property, shoplifting/organized retail theft and possession of burglary tools.
Sledge was charged with shoplifting/organized retail theft, receiving stolen property and possession of burglary tools.
Both women were remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending further court proceedings.
