A former loss prevention officer at the Old Navy in Falls Township testified last week that Tyasia Hayden, 20, of Trenton, punched him several time after he tried to stop her for shoplifting.
Credit: Police
Hayden, who skipped out on last week’s preliminary hearing, had all charges against her forwarded to Doylestown for trial. The 20-year-old is expected to face trial on simple assault, retail theft, criminal conspiracy, possession of an instrument of crime, receiving stolen property, conspiracy and two counts of robbery.
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According to police and testimony given by the loss prevention officer, Hayden and another woman, who has since been charged, walked into the Old Navy in The Court at Oxford Valley shopping center in March with bags. The women acted funny by immediately looking around for surveillance cameras and then taking items, the loss prevention officer said.
As the two women began to walk out of the store, the loss prevention officer tried to detain the duo for retail theft. He grabbed onto the bag of the second woman and she let go and ran to her car. She then drove away from the area and the loss prevention officer, who stood over six feet tall and had larger, muscular arms, was able to grab Hayden, who then turned and struck him in the face with a closed fist, police said.
The loss prevention officer was able to restrain the 20-year-old and recover the two purses, both containing a combined $187.46 in merchandise, according to police.
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Observers in the court room noted the size of the former loss prevention officer and joked that someone decided to take a swing at him.
The preliminary hearing for Hayden was held without her because she did not show up.
