Cops: Thieves Assault Macy’s Staff Outside Mall

Two women are accused of attacking the loss prevention officers who caught them stealing at the Oxford Valley Mall, according to Middletown police.

Daegrie Coates, 23, and Chelica Bartley, who had no age listed, both of Trenton, were charged with robbery, aggravated assault, retail theft and other various offenses. Bartley remains in prison on 10 percent of $70,000 bail and Coates was released on her own recognizance.

According to police, around 3:45 p.m. Wednesday, the two women attacked two loss prevention officers who were working to detain them after they stole 14 pieces of clothing from the store. The value of the stolen good was just over $500.

Loss prevention at the store first spotted the duo entering the Juniors section changing rooms and suspected they concealed clothing items on their person, police said.

Coates and Bartley walked pass the checkout points and were confronted by loss prevention. At that point, the women ran back into the store, attempted to discard the stolen goods and tried to exit through a separate set of doors that led outside, according to court papers.

When two loss prevention officers tried to stop the women, they bit and punched one employee and punched another, police said.

One of the women had a child attached to her via a sling and fell on top of the child after tripping while attempting to escape, police said.

One of the loss prevention officers was transported to the hospital for treatment.

Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.