Detective hit by car trying to detain suspected shoplifter

Eric Leake

Thursday, Dec. 9, 2004 | 11:25 a.m.

A Metro Police detective was hit and run over by a car Tuesday at Las Vegas Premium Outlets as he tried to stop a shoplifter, police said.

This morning police were still searching for the suspect, identified as Natashia Jackson, whom police said has previously been convicted of burglary.

Metro did not release the name of the detective, who was taken to a hospital about 3:30 p.m. with a broken ankle.

Lt. Brett Zimmerman said the detective and another police officer were in uniform patrolling the mall as part of the department's holiday initiative to prevent crimes against retailers and shoppers when they noticed a suspicious Plymouth Breeze sedan parked near the front of the outlet mall in a no-parking zone.

As the officers were speaking with the occupants, Jackson walked up to the car with shopping bags, Zimmerman said.

A store manager followed the woman and told the officers she had stolen clothes, he said, with an estimated value of $500.

Police put Jackson in handcuffs, but police said she quickly freed herself, struggled with the officers and managed to break away and jump into the car. She put it in reverse, Zimmerman said, and when the officer tried to stop her he was knocked down.

The car then ran over the officer's leg, Zimmerman said.

Police said they located the car and are looking for Jackson, who is described as black, in her mid 20s, about 5-feet-5-inches tall. She was wearing a red sweatshirt.

"We know who she is. She's been convicted of burglary before. This isn't her first run-in with us," said police spokeswoman Carla Alston. "She does really need to turn herself in. That's the best course of action for her at this point."

Zimmerman said Jackson would likely face charges of battery with a deadly weapon against a police officer. The other occupants were cooperating with police and may not be charged, he said.

There has not been a robbery at the outlet mall since the holiday initiative started roughly three weeks ago, Zimmerman said.

Anyone with information about the case can call 229-3591.