By Bay City News.
A 24-year-old woman was arrested by San Mateo law enforcement officers this week for allegedly robbing a Macy's store in the city while bringing minors with her, police said.
Around 5:30 p.m. Monday, San Mateo police learned that a store loss prevention officer Macy's at the Hillsdale Shopping Center was attacked by a woman who allegedly robbed the store and fled in a vehicle.
According to store officers, the suspect was able to steal cosmetics and clothing by hiding them in the base of a stroller, before leaving the store without paying. When confronted by a loss prevention worker, he returned the property.
However, she kicked a store loss prevention officer and tried to bite another as they tried to detain her until authorities arrived, police said.
After obtaining a description of the suspect's vehicle, officers were able to find it, but its driver allegedly failed to yield for a traffic stop, prompting a chase.
San Mateo police said that during the chase, the driver allegedly drove recklessly by running several stop signs and a traffic light, and traveled on the wrong side of the road causing a minor collision.
Responding officers learned there was likely a small child in the vehicle. San Mateo police said they had to end the chase to avoid risks.
At 6:09 p.m., a Colma police officer found the suspect vehicle, followed it and ultimately conducted a traffic stop at Geneva and San Jose avenues in San Francisco. The suspect finally relented and the officer discovered that a 15-year-old relative and the driver's 1-year-old son were in the car.
Police said both minors were with the suspect, identified as Estrella Paniagua, when she allegedly robbed Macy's and another store in the Hillsdale Shopping Center.
Paniagua, a Daly City resident, was jailed for alleged second-degree robbery, evading a peace officer without regard to public safety, evading a peace officer by driving in the wrong direction and endangering children.
The police reported that the two minors were handed over to their relatives.
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