Woman ‘Smeared Her Own Blood’ on Cell Walls After Arrest: Cops

SALEM, NH — Two Massachusetts residents were arrested last night after a shoplifting incident that led to one of the perps allegedly flipping out, and smearing blood and dirty toilet water onto the walls of her holding cell, according to police. Erich Ehlert, 49, of Wakefield, MA, was arrested on Nov. 17, 2016, and charged with willful concealment and driving after suspension. Also arrested was Tura Purnell, 30, of North Reading, MA, for felony willful concealment, two counts of possession of a controlled drug, criminal mischief, and unlawful activities-litter control.

Editor’s note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Salem Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction. This link explains the name removal request process for NH Patch police reports.

Officers were sent to the Kohl’s Department Store on Cluff Crossing Road at around 4:30 p.m. yesterday for a report of a shoplifting incident. Loss prevention officers at the store, according to a report from Capt. Joel Dolan of the Salem Police Department, allegedly spotted a woman cutting off security tags from two pairs of jeans and placing them in a handbag.

“The bag was then picked up by her male companion and the two left the store and got into a van that was parked outside,” Dolan alleged. “Responding officers located the van fleeing the parking lot at a high rate of speed. Officers stopped the van on Cluff Crossing Road and after speaking with all parties involved, they took the male and female into custody.”

Police had no problems with Ehlert, Dolan stated, who was charged and released on personal recognizance bail. He’s due in court on Jan. 9, 2017. Purnell, however, was a different story.

“During the booking process Purnell has been placed in a holding cell,” Dolan stated. “While was in the cell she smeared her own blood along the walls. Purnell then used an article of clothing to splash dirty toilet water throughout the cell block area. This caused that area of the cell block to be evacuated and closed until the area could be decontaminated. The area was off limits for several hours.”

Purnell was transported to Parkland Medical Center for treatment and then, the Rockingham County Jail where she was held overnight. She was arraigned this morning.