Woman who fired shots at getaway Home Depot shoplifter charged
(WJBK) - Charges have been filed against a woman who police say fired shots at a getaway shoplifter in Auburn Hills.
Last week, police say a man pushed a cart full of unpaid merchandise out of the Home Depot store on Joslyn Road and got into a dark-colored SUV. A nearby customer tried to intervene and stop the suspects, and fired shots at the vehicle. Police believe the shots flattened a tire.
Authorities have identified the customer who tried to intervene as 46-year-old Tatiana Duva-Rodriquez of Clarkston. She is a concealed pistol license holder. Authorities have charged her with one count of Reckless Use, Handling or Discharge of a Firearm.
Oakland County Prosecutor Jessica Cooper stated in a news release, "If this is proven, I find it very disturbing that someone would take out their gun in a busy parking lot and shoot at the tires of a passing car. Once fired, the bullet could have easily ricocheted or fragmented and injured or killed someone else. It would have been much more helpful for her to take out her cellphone and shoot pictures of the shoplifter's license plate."
Auburn Hills Chief of Police, Doreen Olko, added, "We are grateful that nothing more serious happened as a result of the decision to fire a weapon in a busy parking lot. We do not encourage bystanders to insert themselves into incidents because of the potential for deadly consequences."
The two men suspected in the shoplifting have been found, arrested and charged. You can read more about that here.
Duva-Rodriquez has yet to be arraigned.
This is a developing story. Stay with FOX 2 for updates.