Shoplifter Assaults Officer, Runs From White Marsh Mall: Police

PERRY HALL, MD — Aviation, K-9 and other law enforcement officials are searching near the White Marsh Mall Friday afternoon after a suspected shoplifter assaulted an officer, according to police. The person accused of stealing merchandise from a store took off running after the assault, which occurred amidst the process of an arrest, officials said.

Police were called to White Marsh Mall for a report of a theft at Boscov's at 12:47 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 27, according to Julia Hardgrove of the Baltimore County Police Department.

"The suspect assaulted the police officer while being placed under arrest," Hardgrove told Patch.

The suspect ran, and now a helicopter, K-9 officers and additional officers are out searching for the individual.

It was unknown what the suspect may have been accused of stealing at Boscov's, and there was no suspect description available. Hardgrove said that it was not unusual to deploy officers including helicopter and K-9 units for a suspect who ran away.

No schools were affected, and no roads were closed, she said.

The officer was not injured, according to Cpl. Shawn Vinson of the Baltimore County Police Department, who reported that authorities were actively searching the 8200 block of Perry Hall Boulevard as of 3:30 p.m.

In August 2018, nine people were arrested outside White Marsh Mall in a melee that included one man who was charged with assault after police said he swung a fist at an officer. All charges were dropped against that individual except for a trespassing citation, which resulted in a $100 fine.

This is breaking news and will be updated.