Oklahoma City shoplifter has charge elevated to robbery after punching store security agent in the face
Oklahoma City OK Feb 17, 2022
One would-be shoplifter got more than he bargained for after he was confronted by a store loss prevention specialist who was monitoring the alleged thief’s activities and intervened.
Jamell J. Nicholas, 33, is charged with first degree robbery after his arrest Feb. 12.
Police responded to a call at an office supply store located in the 2800 block of NW 63rd Street in reference to an alleged shoplifter who was caught stealing and had assaulted a store employee during an attempted escape.
Officers were able to identify and locate Nicholas, who had left the scene but was followed by store security.
Witnesses told police Nicholas was acting suspiciously and was suspected of shoplifting. Once confronted by store security Nicholas threatened to respond with physical violence.
After being asked to leave the store Nicholas is believed to have slapped the security guard in the face.
Nicholas and the security clerk struggled against each other for several minutes, dropping several personal items on the floor. At the end of the struggle Nicholas grabbed the store security clerk’s phone and proceeded to leave the location, but not before punching the store security clerk in the face.
Despite the assault, store security continued to follow Nicholas into the parking lot of the location and were able to assist police in locating and detaining him.
Police were able to locate the security clerk’s phone in a trash can near the scene.
Police say due to the fact that Nicholas took the store security clerk’s phone by force, charges were elevated from a simple misdemeanor to a felony for robbery.
