Columbus police arrested two people on charges of theft at a local store after a store security guard was battered trying to apprehend them.
Officers were sent to Target, 1865 N. National Road, at 1:25 p.m. Wednesday about a theft that had just occurred and the guard being battered while attempting to stop a woman, said Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman.
Officers located the suspected vehicle on Middle Road and stopped it a short time later, Harris said. They found that passenger Jennifer L. Bunting, 27, Columbus, the woman identified from the store, had stolen merchandise in her possession and also inside a vehicle driven by Damon L. Bailey, 20, Columbus, Harris said.
They also found two syringes as well as drug paraphernalia inside the car, Harris said.
Bunting’s infant child, also in the vehicle, was cared for by Child Protective Services who went to the scene to assist officers, Harris said.
Bunting was arrested on preliminary charges of battery, theft, possession of a syringe and possession of drug paraphernalia, Harris said.
Bailey was arrested on preliminary charges of theft, possession of a syringe and possession of drug paraphernalia, Harris said.
For more on this story, see Friday’s Republic.
