Gainesville Police arrested a local woman Monday morning after she reportedly shoplifted and punched a woman in the face.
About 1:40 p.m. Sunday, Marie K. Brown, 48, reportedly walked into the Walgreens on East University Avenue and placed $84 worth of clothing in a shopping cart, according to a police report.
Nancy Hendler, 60, said she saw Brown leaving the store with a basket full of clothes, and that’s when she grabbed Brown’s arm.
"It was like ‘Hey, what do you think you’re doing?" Hendler said.
Hendler has multiple sclerosis, but said she still reacted on instinct. She said Brown then hit her on the side of her head.
"She not only hit a senior citizen, but a disabled senior citizen," Hendler said.
After being arrested just after 8 a.m. Monday, Brown told police she stole the clothes to support her crack cocaine addiction.
Brown also said she was drunk and couldn’t remember if she pushed or punched Hendler, according to the report.
Officers later discovered that Brown had a violation of parole warrant for battery on a law enforcement officer, according to the report.
Since 1985, Brown has been found guilty on 22 various counts of theft and other charges, according to Alachua County court records.
Police arrested Brown on charges of larceny and battery and took her to the Alachua County Jail where, as of press time, she remains in lieu of a $5,000 bond.
Contact Giuseppe Sabella at gsabella@alligator.org and follow him on Twitter @Gsabella
Marie K. Brown
