By Rich Flowers News Editor
The Athens Police Department arrested a woman accused of stealing a television from Wal-Mart Saturday afternoon and scuffling with store employees.
Cynthia Reana Smith, 29, was booked into Henderson County Jail for aggravated robbery. She remained jailed Monday with bond set at $25,000.
APD reports state Smith pushed the 19-inch set and a bed comforter out through the front door without paying. The television was valued at about $198.
Lt. Mike Davis said Smith had attempted to put the television in a car waiting in the parking lot, but the person in the car wouldn’t let her have the keys.
When Wal-Mart personnel followed her into the parking lot, Smith allegedly became violent, causing minor injuries.
One male employee suffered a severe bite on the arm, and had to be taken to East Texas Medical for treatment.
“She actually broke the skin, causing it to bleed,” Davis said.
After the altercation, Smith ran toward the Whataburger parking lot on to the east of the store, and into a wooded area.
Cpl. Jason Bosher and Sgt. Eddie Smith were dispatched to the scene.
Officers searched the area near where Smith was last seen, and found the fleeing suspect.
Smith had been arrested by APD on Dec. 15 on a charge of theft of property ($50 to $500), and was released on bond Dec. 25.
Four days later, Smith was picked up by the Gun Barrel City Police Department for theft of property ($500 to $1,500). She was released on bond Jan. 11.
