A Walgreens clerk fell victim to a pepper spray attack, after a woman, who allegedly stole a bottle of tequila earlier on, returned to the store in a fit of rage. North Miami Beach Police have apprehended 27-year-old Roneisha Sampson, who now faces charges unrelated to the incident that took place on January 11 at a Walgreens located at 791 NE 167th St., according to WSVN.
The incident unfolded when Sampson swiped a bottle of Don Julio tequila and hastily left the establishment. An anonymous store employee told Local 10 News, "She was like, I’m coming back for you-- I’ve got something for your efforts." Sampson allegedly lost her phone during her initial escape and returned about an hour later demanding its return. After the manager claimed not to have the phone, Sampson ensued to unleash pepper spray on the cashier amid checkout. The attack not only harmed the clerk but also a child standing nearby, who was consequently struck in the face with the irritant.
Police were later able to identify Sampson through surveillance footage from Walgreens. In the recording, Sampson is seen conversing with the manager and, subsequently, assaulting the cashier. When approached by police, the victim was recovering but stated they expected to be okay, Local 10 News reports. Sampson later picked up on other charges, was also previously charged with aggravated battery on a police officer.
Walgreens customers are left shaken by the scene. A patron, Robert Jimeno, who is no stranger to the troubling acts that can unfold in the area, remarked to WSVN, "Luckily, it was pepper spray, but I have seen shootings in the same area, same parking area here, so again, it happens, unfortunately." Therefore as details emerge, the community is left grappling with the repercussions of a crime that spilled over into their neighborhood, touching lives of innocent bystanders in its wake.
