Hempstead Woman Arrested After Shoplifting from Roosevelt Field Mall, Threatening Security with Taser

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Imani Merchant, 18, apprehended in mall parking lot by mounted officers, NCPD reports.

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NCPD reports the arrest of Imani Merchant, 18, a Hempstead woman, for Robbery on Saturday, April 1, in East Garden City.

Photo by: Nassau County Police Department

Garden City, NY – April 3, 2017 – The Third Squad reports the arrest of a Hempstead woman for Robbery on Saturday, April 1, 2017 at 3:37 pm in East Garden City.
 
According to detectives, Imani Merchant, 18, entered Claire’s located in Roosevelt Field Mall and concealed earrings in her pocketbook before exiting the store without paying. Security personnel from the store notified police and followed the suspect from the store. Security stopped Merchant as she was attempting to exit the mall at which time the suspect displayed a Taser at the victim and threatened her.  
 
Merchant fled the mall and was stopped in the parking lot by Nassau County Police mounted officers who were able to place her under arrest without incident. Merchant was in possession of an Oxycodone pill at the time of her arrest.
 
Merchant is charged with Robbery 1st degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd degree and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th degree.  She will be arraigned on Sunday, April 02, 2017 at First District Court in Hempstead.
 
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.