A 10-year-old girl and 15-month-old boy were left in a parked vehicle at Sunrise Mall’s parking lot in Massapequa while their mother went shoplifting.
The incident occurred at 4:20 p.m. on Tuesday. According to the Nassau County Police Department, Coshonda Vanderhall, 31, of Mastic shoplifted at the J.C. Penney at the mall. She left the mall with clothing valued in excess of $270.
A female loss prevention officer approached Vanderhall when she exited the store in an attempt to retrieve the stolen goods, but instead was punched in the face and thrown to the ground.
Police arrived to the scene and placed Vanderhall under arrest.
The female loss prevention officer was transported to a local hospital of treatment of injuries.
Vanderhall’s children were unharmed and released to a family member.
Vanderhall is charged with robbery and endangering the welfare of her children.
[Source: Nassau County Police Department]