NEW HARTFORD, ONEIDA CO. -- Three Syracuse women were arrested Wednesday after police say they tried to steal from a Walmart and attacked a security guard.
According to the New Hartford Police Department, on September 8 three women were shopping at the Walmart on Commercial Drive in New Hartford. Police say loss prevention officers in the store saw 25-year-old Tayonda Durham, 28-year-old Billie L. Goode, and 29-year-old Harlyn D. McBean, all of Syracuse, attempting to leave the store with more than $1,100 in merchandise.
Police say that when a security guard tried to stop the suspects, Goode swung a baby carrier holding her three-week-old daughter at the guard, and then used the carrier as a shield to keep the guard away. Police then say that Durham sprayed the officer with pepper spray, which also landed on nearby shoppers. The three women then left the store and drove away in McBean’s blue 2005 Chevy Impala.
After the incident, Walmart security reported the vehicle to New Hartford Police, who put out a "Be On The Lookout" notice to local law enforcement agencies. State Police saw the Impala on the Thruway headed toward Syracuse, pulled the car over, and arrested all three suspects. Police say that during the arrest they found merchandise from other stores such as Victoria’s Secret, H&M, and The Gap, which are located in Sangertown Square mall in New Hartford. Police say those items are valued at more than $1,000.
All three women have been charged with felony criminal possession of stolen property and grand larceny, as well as misdemeanor criminal possession of an anti-security item. In addition, Durham was charged with unlawfully possessing or selling noxious material and criminal contempt, while Goode was charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Each was remanded to Oneida County Jail in lieu of bail, and they are scheduled to return to Town of New Hartford Criminal Court next week for a felony exam hearing.
The security officer was taken to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Utica for treatment of an allergic reaction to the pepper spray. That officer’s name was not released.
