An East Palo Alto woman has been charged with a spree of crimes, including robbery and assault with a deadly weapon, following a recent altercation in Redwood City. The incident, which occurred at approximately 12:09 p.m. on June 6, began in a shopping center parking lot at 250 Walnut Street, according to a statement provided by the Redwood City Police Department.
The victim, an Uber driver, reported to the police that his passenger, upon reaching their destination, pulled out a knife and demanded his cell phone. After obtaining the phone, the woman demanded he give her money for its return. During the ensuing struggle, the driver sustained a cut to his arm before the suspect made off on foot with his money. Even deploying the knife, an independent witness could describe responding officers.
Redwood City investigators gathered valuable video surveillance from a nearby business that captured the suspect. It was determined that she had also stolen goods from two local stores before leaving the area. As the investigation progressed, a call came from another location, 400 County Center, where a woman reported a 'disturbance' and requested police attendance—matching that of the description, the officers detained her upon arriving.
After identification from the victim, the police took Shante Barden, the alleged perpetrator, into custody. Booked into the Maguire Correctional Facility, Barden is now facing charges that include robbery and assault with a deadly weapon, as well as burglary and committing a felony while out on bail.
The Redwood City Police Department urges anyone with further information about these incidents to contact Detective Brian Simmons at 650-780-7698.
