Walmart Shoplifter Hit Person In Motorized Wheelchair: Bayonne PD

BAYONNE, NJ — A woman accused of shoplifting at the Bayonne Walmart tried to drive away with stolen goods, but her getaway was waylaid when she drove into a Walmart shopper on a motorized wheelchair — not once, but twice, say police.

Bayonne police were called to the local Walmart at 4 p.m. Sunday, for a call of a shoplifter fleeing the area in a white car.

When the officer got there, he saw a white car attempting to drive off and strike a pedestrian shopper on a motorized shopping cart. The driver of the white car, later identified as Siedah Smith, 34, of Jersey City, got out of the car and she and the pedestrian began arguing, according to Bayonne police Lt. Eric Amato.

When Smith noticed the patrol car, she again attempted to flee, getting back in her car and again striking the pedestrian on the motorized cart, said police. This time, she dragged the motorized shopping car and the pedestrian approximately 10 feet before Smith's vehicle crashed head-on into the police car.

The pedestrian victim was transported to the Bayonne Medical Center to be treated for injuries.

The officer was able to get Smith to exit her vehicle and placed her under arrest.

Walmart loss prevention reported that Smith had been observed filling a shopping cart with $235.73 worth of merchandise before leaving the cart at the self-checkout lane. She walked out of the store, picked up a discarded receipt from the ground and re-entered the store and tried to again leave, police said. The agent stopped her and ordered her to return to the store with the merchandise but she did not comply as she proceeded toward her vehicle, police said.

That's when police were called.

Smith, a Jersey City resident, was charged with robbery, aggravated assault, aggravated assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and hindering apprehension.