A woman suspected of stealing about $1,800 worth of merchandise during a shoplifting incident in Milford last week allegedly pulled a knife on police officers and forced her way into a bystander’s vehicle before officers tasered her and took her into custody.
Melissa Riley, 42, faces charges of first-degree robbery, fourth-degree larceny, interfering with police and possession with intent to sell, according to the Milford Police Department.
Riley was arrested Nov. 18 after officers responded to REI at 1587 Boston Post Road around 8:21 p.m. for an active shoplifting. Police were told the suspect, wearing a maroon sweater and a maroon hat, was last seen walking toward the Tropical Smoothie Café at 1590 Boston Post Road.
Responding officers checked behind the smoothie shop and found a woman near a set of dumpsters allegedly attempting to hide stolen merchandise, police said. The woman fled on foot when she saw officers and, after being told numerous times to stop running, allegedly pulled a knife on officers as they approached, according to police.
The woman, identified as Riley, then allegedly continued to ignore commands given by officers and walked onto the Boston Post Road between traffic where she tried getting into two vehicles that were locked, police said. She was able to get into a bystander’s vehicle, which led to the individual abandoning the car, according to police.
Police alleged that Riley ignored multiple commands to drop the knife before she was tasered. Officers were able to get the knife out of her hand and take her into custody. According to police, she was allegedly found with 41 wax folds containing a brown powder substance, two grams of a gray rock substance and 10.8 grams of a thin brown powder substance.
Police said their investigation reportedly found that she had stolen about $1,800 worth of merchandise from REI.
Following her arrest, Riley was held on a $75,000 bond and was expected to face a judge the following day.
