Early Police Chief David Mercer reported that Officer Andre Smoot was at JC Penny in Heartland Mall off-duty when he heard a noise from the emergency exit door on the south side of the store. He then observed a female with a large arm load of items exiting the building.
Smoot also heard an employee yelling “she’s stealing stuff”. Smoot the retrieved his badge and chased the female. Once outside, he observed a vehicle speeding toward the door. The vehicle was driven by a male later identified as Jeffrey Smith. As the female dove into the back seat, she apparently got hung up on the large bundle of items and was not able to get inside the car. The female, later identified as Erika Chapa began yelling at Smith to go.
At that time, Smoot was able to make contact with Chapa, just as she began yelling at Smith to drive away. Smoot then drew his weapon and ordered the driver to turn the car off. If Smith would have taken off, he would have drug Smoot and Chapa. Smith complied and turned off the car. JC Penny employees had called 911 at which time back-up officers arrived and placed both Chapa and Smith in custody.
Chapa and Smith are Abilene residents. Officers retrieved 122 stolen items which totaled about $2,500. Chapa was charged with felony theft – state jail felony and Smith was charged with felony theft a 3rd degree felony due to two previous convictions of theft.