Women Shoved, Injured Employees During Shoplifting Incident At Walmart: Wallingford PD

WALLINGFORD, CT — Two women are accused of shoving and injuring employees at Walmart during a shoplifting incident last month in Wallingford, according to police.

The women were arrested Monday following an investigation into a July 4 incident at Walmart at 844 North Colony Road in Wallingford.

Officers responded to the store around 9:55 a.m. on the report of a shoplifting incident involving two women who left the area before police arrived.

Police said a review of surveillance footage showed the women concealing merchandise and completing a fraudulent return before trying to leave the store with additional unpaid merchandise.

“When confronted by Walmart Asset Protection personnel, the women allegedly became physically combative, pushing and shoving employees while attempting to regain control of the merchandise,” police wrote in a news release. “Two employees sustained minor injuries and a store security device was damaged during the altercation.

“A young child who accompanied the women was also allegedly left unattended at different points during the incident.”

Police said the stolen merchandise, valued at approximately $111, was recovered at the store.

Investigators identified the suspects as Jonisha Bell, 30, of New Haven, and Essence Dawson, 30, and obtained arrest warrants for both.

Bell was located and taken into custody by the Woodbridge Police Department on Aug. 16, according to police. Dawson was later taken into custody at the Wallingford Police Department. Both arrests occurred without incident, police said.

Bell and Dawson were each charged with second-degree robbery, conspiracy to commit second-degree robbery, risk of injury to a child, breach of peace, sixth-degree larceny, and third-degree criminal mischief.

Both were released after posting $35,000 bonds and are scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 28.