A woman suspected of shoplifting from Big 5 Sporting Goods is recovering from significant injuries following an altercation with police.
Thursday, around 2 PM, Simi Valley Police (SVPD) officers were called in to apprehend Christina Tyler, a 48-year-old transient from Ventura, who allegedly stole items from the sporting goods store, Sergeant Patrick Zayicek said.
When they arrived, officers said they saw the woman fleeing from the scene on foot and gave chase. During the pursuit, the woman stopped, turned to face the officers and then charged at them while brandishing a pair of scissors, Zayicek said. Officers had to use a Taser to subdue her.
At some point during the incident, Tyler sustained a cut to her neck and began bleeding severely, leading SVPD to close down Los Angeles Avenue between Patricia Avenue and Williams Street. She also was suffering from many other cuts.
Zayicek said that officers who were at the scene believe many of the cuts had been self-inflicted before Tyler was subdued. The sergeant said the woman continued to cut herself even after officers shocked her with the Taser.
Tyler was arrested on suspicion of shoplifting and charging at officers with a deadly weapon. She was taken to a local hospital for treatment and appears to be recovering, Zayicek said. The street reopened just before 4 PM, about two hours after the incident began… Simi Valley Acorn
