A Delaware woman is facing serious charges after police say she tried to use her young children to shoplift from a Dollar Tree store — and then attacked two employees with pepper spray when she returned for her dropped phone.
“She placed store products under two children seated in a stroller and a wagon before attempting to leave without paying.”
— Delaware State Police
Janaia Wright, 28, of Wilmington, was taken into custody Sunday morning after the incident at the Dollar Tree on 2103 Kirkwood Highway, according to Delaware State Police.
When store workers confronted Wright, she abandoned the merchandise and left with her children. But she came back — apparently after realizing she had dropped her cellphone during the confrontation. This time, she walked up to two employees and sprayed them with pepper spray before fleeing again.
As she left, she knocked over a store display, causing additional damage to merchandise. One employee was treated at the scene; the other refused medical attention. Both injuries were described as non-life-threatening.
Troopers responded to the store, identified Wright as the suspect, and found her outside the business, where she was taken into custody.
Charges filed against Wright
- 2 counts of second-degree assault with a disabling chemical spray
- 2 counts of endangering the welfare of a child
- Shoplifting under $1,500
- Criminal mischief under $1,000
Released on $5,600 unsecured bond after arraignment
