Homeless Woman Steals from South San Francisco Grocery Store, Tries to Punch Employee: Police

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Police arrested a 35-year-old woman who they say attempted to shoplift a few items from a South San Francisco grocery store Friday morning.

At about 9:40 a.m., the suspect, Lashonda Gilfillan, allegedly grabbed three items off the shelves and left the store in the 300 block of McLellan Drive without paying the full amount, according to police.

"When confronted outside the store by store personnel, the subject refused to pay any more money or return items," police said in a news release. "When a store employee attempted to take the items back from her, the subject swung at the employee, attempted to punch her."

Gilfillan, who police describe as a transient, was arrested on suspicion of strong-arm robbery and giving a false name to police and is being held in San Mateo County Jail on $50,000 bail.

– Bay City News Service contributed to this report.