Police: Walmart employee's fingertip bitten off by shoplifter
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - Police say a South Carolina Walmart employee lost part of her finger Sunday after she and another employee confronted a suspected shoplifter, reports CBS affiliate WSPA.
Myrtle Beach police say the suspect, Carolynn Elizabeth Wright, 23, began fighting with the two employees around 2 p.m., after they said she concealed merchandise.
During the struggle, Wright allegedly bit off a fingertip of one of the employee's, a loss prevention officer, according to police.
A customer who witnessed the fight tried to call 911 but dropped her phone. Wright allegedly picked up the phone and refused to give it back, according to a police report. The customer told police she tried to get the phone back from Wright, who grabbed by the customer's hair.
The customer said she then punched Wright in the face, according to police.
The report said Wright then ran to the parking lot where a male drive was waiting. She allegedly told him to "drive!" and "run!"
The male driver told police someone was standing in front of the vehicle when Wright was screaming "drive," according to the report.
Wright was arrested and later charged with aggravated assault and shoplifting. Police recovered condoms, lubricant, panties, bra, camisole, and other clothes totaling $40.07.
Medical personnel were unable to reattach the victim's fingertip, but she received stitches, according to the police report.