Crime & Safety
Woman Threatens To Slap Worker, Sprays 2 Employees: Sheriff
A Tampa woman who had $7,000 worth of stolen goods was arrested on multiple charges after police saw her getting in an Uber, deputies said.
DAVENPORT, FL — A Tampa woman who is accused of spraying two employees with a chemical spray at a Burlington store Friday had her shoplifting spree cut short due to a flat tire, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.
Nikita Lindsey, 31, told a store employee who offered to help her just before 11 p.m. that she would slap the glasses off of her face if the employee didn't move, according to the arrest affidavit. Lindsey was able to push a shopping cart filled with stolen goods until the wheels locked on the cart. Lindsey then sprayed two of the workers with a chemical spray, authorities said.
When Lindsey went outside, three employees thought she was leaving so they went outside. After Lindsey got into her vehicle, she drove toward the women in the Posner Park Shopping Center parking lot, investigators said.
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A Polk County Sheriff's Office deputy tried to stop the suspect's Dodge Journey mini-van, but she accelerated and sped off through heavy traffic with her headlights off, and she ran a red traffic light, according to officers. The vehicle was found abandoned with a flat tire nearby.
Officers saw the suspect trying to get into an Uber vehicle after midnight. Lindsey was arrested on the following charges, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office:
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- Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon
- Robbery with a weapon
- Fleeing to elude
- Possession of Alprazolam
- Driving while license suspended
The suspect was also issued citations for running a traffic light, operating a vehicle in the wrong direction and operating a vehicle at night without headlights activated.
"Nikita Lindsey is in the Polk County Jail right now without bond," Sheriff Grady Judd said. "She came to Polk County from Tampa to commit crimes here, so she can just stay here for a bit longer. And that’s a good thing…she’s a violent person with no consideration for the safety of others. She’s a dangerous person who needs to be kept away from the general public. ”
Police said about $7,000 worth of stolen merchandise from department stores such as Burlington, Ross and TJ Maxx were found inside the van.
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