Suspected Shoplifter's Death Deemed Accidental; Accomplice Charged

Authorities have identified a suspected shoplifter and cause of death for the man who fled from security at Arundel Mills mall in Hanover and jumped into a drainage pond, authorities said.

Tavon Talley, 26, of Baltimore appears to have died from accidental drowning, pending toxicology results, Anne Arundel County Police say. An autopsy found no suspicious indicators.

Talley fled from mall security officers who were chasing him just before 9 p.m. Monday. Security officers said Talley entered the sediment pond and began to swim.

Although security staff urged the suspect to return to the pond’s bank, he would not do so. Talley appeared to dive head first into the pond and he never resurfaced, police say.

Rescuers found his body underwater near the middle of the pond about two hours later. 

A woman who was with Talley at the time of the theft, Tania D. Turner, 26, of Baltimore, was charged with theft under $1,000 for her role in the shoplifting incident.