A 24-year-old mother assaulted a loss prevention agent at a San Mateo shopping center and fled in a car while driving recklessly with her 1-year-old child and a 15-year-old relative inside Monday evening, according to police.
At about 5:39 p.m. Monday, Nov. 27, San Mateo police were called to the Hillsdale Shopping Center on a report that a Macy’s loss prevention agent had been hit with pepper spray and assaulted by a shoplifter who stole from the store before fleeing in a car, according to police.
Officers spotted the vehicle as it left the mall and initiated a pursuit when it did not stop. During the pursuit, the driver drove recklessly by running several stops signs and a stop light, while traveling on the opposite side of the road causing a minor collision. However, police terminated the pursuit when they learned there was a toddler inside. The vehicle was last seen traveling west on State Route 92 from South El Camino Real, according to police.
Police determined the suspect attempted to steal cosmetics and clothing by concealing them in the base of a stroller and left the store without paying. When confronted by loss prevention, the suspect gave back the property but, when being detained for police response, kicked him and attempted to bite another. While pepper spray was on the suspect, it was not used and taken by loss prevention before it could be, according to police.
At 6:09 p.m., a Colma police officer located the suspect vehicle, followed it, and ultimately conducted a traffic stop at Geneva and San Jose avenues in San Francisco. The driver yielded and it was discovered that a 15-year-old relative and the driver’s 1-year-old child was in the car. Both were with the suspect when she committed the theft from Macy’s and an additional store at Hillsdale Shopping Center, as well as in the vehicle during the pursuit.
SMPD officers responded to the location of the traffic stop and took over the investigation. The driver, identified as Estrella Paniagua, of Daly City, was arrested on multiple charges, and the two minors were released to family members.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.