Vancouver police say two women attempted to steal from stores on the same downtown block Thursday, turning violent when confronted by security guards. The first incident occurred around 3:20 p.m., when police received a theft report from a clothing store near the intersection of Granville and Robson Streets, according to a Friday news release from the Vancouver Police Department. The VPD did not specify the targeted store in its release, but confirmed to CTV News that it was the Marshall’s at that intersection. “Staff told police that a woman had stolen several items of clothing and left the store without paying,” the release reads. “When a security guard tried to arrest her, she allegedly became violent and bit the guard on the hand.” Police said they’ve identified the suspect as a 60-year-old woman and will be recommending robbery charges against her. They did not share the woman’s name, as she has not yet been charged. About an hour after the initial call, police were called back to the same area, this time for a report that a woman had stolen a speaker from an electronics store and attempted to leave without paying. The VPD confirmed the store targeted this time was the Best Buy that shares a building with Marshall’s. “When a security guard attempted to take the suspect into custody, she allegedly slashed the guard’s arm with a weapon and threatened to kill him before fleeing the scene,” the release reads. Roughly 20 minutes after the incident, a special municipal constable spotted a woman matching the suspect description near Mainland and Nelson streets. Officers arrested her without incident. “These incidents highlight the dangers that front-line retail workers and security staff can encounter,” said Const. Megan Lui, in the release. “Violence and threats against people preventing crime are unacceptable, and the Vancouver Police Department remains committed to holding offenders accountable.” Police said the 43-year-old suspect in the second incident was taken to jail and remains in custody. She has been charged with one count of theft, one count of uttering threats, one count of assault with a weapon and one count of assault causing bodily harm. Despite the woman being charged, police did not publish her name. Online court records identify her as Tara Louise Weatherbee and indicate she made an initial appearance in downtown community court on Friday. She remains in custody and is scheduled to make her next appearance Monday morning, for a bail hearing. At the same appearance, Weatherbee is scheduled to answer to a charge of theft $5,000 or under originating out of New Westminster. She’s alleged to have committed that offence on Oct. 2, and court records indicate Monday’s appearance will be for an application to revoke bail on that matter.
