Berkeley police arrested a homeless woman over the weekend after she punched a shop owner who confronted her trying to shoplift, authorities say.
The incident happened Saturday at 5:50 p.m. at Siamese Dream , a women's clothing shop at College and Alcatraz avenues in the Elmwood neighborhood .
Police say 39-year-old Jeamillah Snell, who was known to the business owner from prior shoplifting incidents, went into the clothing store and tried to take several items.
When the shop owner confronted Snell, according to Berkeley police , she punched the woman in the nose.
The Berkeley Scanner Emilie Raguso Snell walked away but police detained her a short time later and arrested her on suspicion of robbery, BPD said.
Jeamillah Snell. BPD
Shoplifting can become a robbery charge when violence is used.
As of Monday, according to booking records, Snell remained in custody at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin with a bail of $100,000.
She is scheduled for arraignment Wednesday at Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse in Oakland, according to booking records online.
Snell has no prior cases listed in Alameda County Superior Court.
Update, June 6: Snell was charged Tuesday with battery and attempted theft, both misdemeanors, according to court records online.
She is scheduled for arraignment Wednesday at Wiley Manuel Courthouse in Oakland.
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