ClarksvilleNow.com Reporting
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CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – A woman was arrested on charges of assault, evading arrest, theft, criminal impersonation and resisting arrest after an incident at a local department store on July 2.
According to the warrant, Officer Joshua Smith was at Governor’s Square Mall patrolling the inside of Dillards at around 8:23 p.m. when he was advised by the camera room that a black female was walking toward the south exit of the store carrying a purse that she had not paid for.
Officer Smith began running toward the area, seeing the female, Ciara Zhane Rutland, hurrying out of the exit. He yelled at her, saying, “I am going to catch you.” Rutland looked back, continued to run, and tripped and fell. Though she resisted him, Officer Smith was able to arrest her. He then walked her back to where she fell to locate any items she might have dropped, but she kicked at him and he was forced to trip her to the ground, causing her to accidentally hit the back of her head. Rutland then cursed and spit at the officer.
Rutland was searched, but had no identification. She gave officers a Social Security number and date of birth which did not belong to her. After Officer Smith informed her that the number was wrong, she gave the correct one.
Rutland was then taken to Gateway Medical Center for medical treatment. While there, she waived her Miranda rights. According to the warrant, when Officer Smith asked her why she gave the wrong Social Security number, she said that she picked a different last digit just to pick it. She also stated that she did see him running after her, but did not stop because she did not know what to do.
Rutland’s bond was set at $15,000.