1 Arrested After PGC Cop Shoots At Suspected Shoplifters: Police

COLLEGE PARK, MD -- A Prince George's County Police officer fired her gun after confronting some shoplifters at a Home Depot in College Park Thursday morning, police say.

Prince George's County Police Chief Hank Stawinski said that one suspect is under arrest and police are looking for two more after the incident, and no one is believed to have been struck by the bullet.

Stawinski said the Home Depot in the 4700 block of Cherry Hill Road had numerous incidents in the past, to the point that police had a robbery suppression team operation working in the area.

On Thursday, management approached an officer who identified two individuals in the store who were stealing hundreds of dollars worth of goods. The officer pursued the suspects and confronted them.

The suspects got into a vehicle with a third suspect, who was acting as the driver, and they ignored the officers commands, Stawinski said, adding that the car may have made light contact with the officer.

The officer fired a bullet, which police do not believe struck either the vehicle or anyone in the vehicle "to the best of my knowledge," Stawinski said.

Although the license plate of the vehicle was obscured, police were able to spot the vehicle a few miles away and make a traffic stop, he continued. Two suspects got away, but the third suspect was arrested, he said.

PIO on scene of departmental shooting in 4700 block of Cherry Hill Rd in College Park. Details to be released as soon as they are confirmed.
— PGPDNEWS (@PGPDNews) April 11, 2019