Police Press Release for December 9, 2016

EASTERN DISTRICT

Shoplifting/Pursuit /Assault on Police                                                                     Pasadena

On December 8, 2016, at approximately 7:43 pm, officers responded to the Babies R Us Store located at 8040 Ritchie Highway in Pasadena for a shoplifting.  When officers arrived, the suspects were running from the store to a getaway vehicle waiting in the parking lot. An officer responding to the call, exited his vehicle and confronted the suspects as they entered the getaway vehicle.

When confronted, the driver of the vehicle quickly accelerated the vehicle, striking the officer in the leg, and continued in the parking lot towards Jumpers Hole Road. The responding officers blocked the exit to the roadway in an attempt to keep the fleeing vehicle from exiting the parking lot. When the driver encountered the police officer/vehicle at a parking lot exit, he stopped for a brief moment, then placed the vehicle in reverse and intentionally rammed a patrol vehicle. The suspect was then able to maneuver around the vehicles and exit onto the roadway.

A pursuit was authorized based on the intentional acts of the suspect. The suspect continued north on Ritchie Highway where the passengers began throwing stolen merchandise out the window of the vehicle.  Officers were able to deploy stop sticks (controlled tire deflation device) in the area of Ritchie Highway near 16th Avenue. The suspect vehicle struck the stop sticks and eventually stopped in the same area.  The suspects were taken into custody without further incident. 

Investigation revealed that the adult female was in the store utilizing the juveniles to steal and conceal several items.  The suspects were charged with multiple charges including assault, theft, and traffic related offenses.  The juveniles were served on juvenile citations and released to another family member. The stolen merchandise valued at approximately $400 was recovered from the side of the roadway and returned to the store. The officer that was struck sustained minor injuries and did not require immediate medical attention. There were no other injuries. 

Suspects:

1)      Erik Benjamin Prestbury (Driver)

DOB 7/18/1966

921 Stoll Street

Baltimore, MD

2)      Tierra Latasha Reid

DOB 7/14/1988

4115 Mariban Court

 Baltimore, MD

3)      10 year old female juvenile from Baltimore (niece of Tierra Reid)

4)      11 year old female juvenile from Baltimore (daughter of Tierra Reid)