Woman Pepper-Sprays Police, Waterford Officers Say

While responding to a shoplifting complaint from Waterford Commons Mall, the investigation took an unexpected turn. Waterford Police located a woman suspected of stealing from Best Buy and Dick’s Sporting Goods and asked her for her identification.

According to the Waterford Police Department, she gave them something, but it wasn’t her ID.

“While asking to see identification, the suspect used her personal pepper spray on one of the officers and attempted to use it on the other,” police said in a report. “After a brief struggle, the officers took the subject into custody. One of the officers sprained their knee during the altercation and later went to a local clinic.”

Darlyn Shepard, age unknown and with a last known address listed as New Haven, was arrested on the following charges:

• 2 Counts of Assault on a Police Officer
• Breach of Peace, 2nd Degree
• Interfering With an Officer’s Investigation
• Possession of Shoplifting Device
• Larceny in the 6th Degree

Shepard’s bond was set at $50,000, pending arraignment in court on Friday, Nov. 20. The vehicle Shepard drove was impounded.

Shepard was arrested on two outstanding arrest warrants, both for violation of probation, with a total of $60,000 in separate bonds on those warrants.

The case is under investigation. Anyone with information may contact Waterford Police via Facebook or call them at 860-442-9451. All contacts will be kept confidential.