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Shoplifting Leads to Melee with Employees; Four Arrested

Four people were charged after getting into an altercation with loss prevention at a Piggly Wiggly in Wisconsin. One employee ended up with a bloody nose as a result of the fight. City of Brookfield Police was originally called to the store for a report of a retail theft but then were told about several suspects fighting with management. One female was holding a 2-year-old girl, according to police.

Clifford Bates, 45, was charged in Waukesha County Circuit Court with battery, retail theft and disorderly conduct. His brother Michael Bates, 38, was charged with retail theft. Iesha Cantrell, 27, was charged with possessing an electric weapon, retail theft and disorderly conduct. Amber Cooper was charged with disorderly conduct and possessing an illegally obtained prescription.

Video surveillance showed Cantrell in the liquor department selecting two bottles of liquor and placing them under the child seat in her cart, then later purchasing other items, but not the alcohol. The child car seat can be seen in the cart covered with a blanket, according to the criminal complaint.

In their vehicle, police found two bottles of alcohol concealed in the baby carrier in her cart: a 1.75-liter bottle of Tanqueray gin valued at $35.99 and a 1.75-liter bottler of Jameson Irish whisky valued at $45.99. Cantrell told police she had a stun gun inside her purse, the complaint said. After Cooper was arrested, police found two lorazepam pills; Cooper admitted he did not have a prescription, the complaint said.  [Source: Journal Sentinel]

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