News Nearby: Oconee Walmart Shoplifting Suspect Accused of Hitting Woman Twice with Car

An Athens woman accused of trying to steal less than $100 worth of clothing from Walmart on Epps Bridge Parkway is behind bars also facing a charge of aggravated assault for allegedly striking a customer twice with her getaway car.

Oconee County Sheriff's Office deputies were called to the scene about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5. The woman who reportedly had been struck by the car was lying on the ground in the parking lot and her left leg was bleeding, according to an incident report.

The injured woman, 38, told deputies she saw two women fighting with a store security guard outside and she tried to stop them. That's when, she says, the suspects hopped into a car and the driver placed it in reverse and backed into her.

She then approached the driver's side and yelled for the car to stop and that she'd been hit, but the driver allegedly turned and hit the woman again, striking her in the knee and knocking her to the pavement.

The suspects fled in a white 2001 Lexus GS300, according to witnesses. 

The injured woman was taken to Athens Regional Medical Center for treatment.

According to the store security guard, it all began when he saw the two suspects each trying to steal less than $100 worth of clothing items. When he approached them, he says one of the women hit him.

The suspects were later taken into custody at their homes on Oak Hill Drive in Athens, the Athens Banner-Herald reported.

Deputies charged Jessica LaLisha Patton, 28, with aggravated assault and 20-year-old Marrissa Quadia Putman with battery. Both were also charged with theft by shoplifting.

This post originally appeared on Oconee Patch. 

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