By By Marianne Todd/The Meridian Star
March 15, 2001
A Meridian woman has been charged with aggravated assault in connection with a shoplifting incident Tuesday at a local department store.
Lt. Wade Johnson, spokesman for the Meridian Police Department, said Ametra L. Toole, 22, of 107 71st Place, Apt. 39, was initially charged with second-offense shoplifting Tuesday after an undercover security guard followed her through T.J. Maxx at Bonita Lakes Crossing.
Toole and a partner, Linda D. Edwards, had allegedly shoplifted items from the store.
Edwards, 23, of 624 33rd Ave., was also charged with second-offense shoplifting.
Johnson said the women fled the store as the security officer tried to apprehend them. Toole allegedly struck the security guard with her car.
The security guard was transported to a Meridian hospital, where he was treated and released. A co-worker at T.J. Maxx said he is recovering at home, and has not yet returned to work.
Toole, who will make her initial court appearance sometime in the next few days, is in custody at the Lauderdale County Detention Facility on $15,000 bond. Edwards is free on $554 bond.
Marianne Todd is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail her at mtodd@themeridianstar.com.