A woman has been arrested and charged in connection with an alleged violent robbery at a department store that left two employees hospitalized with injuries.
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Kaimira M. Higgenbotham, 33, of Trenton, was arraigned last week on multiple charges including robbery, aggravated assault, and harassment.
According to Bristol Township police, the robbery happened around 8 p.m. on April 21 at the Gabe’s Department store in Bristol Township’s Fairless Hills section when store employees confronted Higgenbotham after witnessing her concealing merchandise in a laundry hamper. A store employee, who was knowledgeable in theft prevention, recognized the suspect’s behavior as indicative of a potential shoplifter.
As Higgenbotham attempted to leave the store, a confrontation erupted, police said.
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One employee tried to intervene, but Higgenbotham resisted and that led to a physical altercation. A second employee joined in to assist their colleague, but both were attacked by Higgenbotham, police said.
Store security footage captured the violent incident and showed Higgenbotham striking one employee in the head with her cellphone multiple times and dragging the other across the floor while stomping on her chest, police said.
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The two store employees, one who was 71 years old, sustained severe injuries, including head trauma and chest trauma requiring bypass surgery.
One of the injured employees has continued to experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of the attack. The other employee suffered a concussion and was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm. Both remain under medical care.
Following the robbery, Bristol Township police obtained surveillance footage that captured the suspect fleeing the scene in a white Lexus. Working with Trenton police, they identified the vehicle’s owner, who admitted to loaning the car to Higgenbotham, police said.
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A selfie provided by the vehicle owner matched the suspect seen in the surveillance video, police said.
Detectives were able to link Higgenbotham to the crime through additional surveillance footage, driver’s license photos, and witness statements.
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Higgenbotham was held by District Judge Kevin Wagner on 10 percent of $100,000 bail.
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.
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