A repeated shoplifter struck a Richmond County Sheriff’s Office deputy with a vehicle while fleeing the mall on Saturday.
According to RCSO Chief of Staff Lewis Blanchard, Toni Wallace was formally banned from entering the Augusta Mall on June 19 and told not to return to the property. On Saturday, July 12 at approximately 3:25 p.m., RCSO deputy Jeff Adams responded to the mall about a female trespasser, identified as Wallace by Mall Security Office Davis Callaway. Blanchard added the criminal history for Wallace shows five previous shoplifting arrests, along with other chargers.
Deputy Adams reviewed surveillance footage and confirmed the trespasser to be Wallace. The two headed to Macy’s, where she was last seen. Mall dispatch let the two know that Wallace had left Macy’s through the south entrance and had gotten into a white 2020 Nissan Altima and provided the tag number of the vehicle.
As Deputy Adams approached the Altima, which was backing out of a parking space, he signaled Wallace to stop by stepping slightly in front of the vehicle and raising his hands, Blanchard said. Despite this, Wallace accelerated, which caused the hood of the vehicle to make contact with Deputy Adams’ hands, and as he moved to his right, the passenger side struck his left knee and wrist, which caused injuries.
Deputy Adams was taken to Piedmont Hospital, where he was treated for soft tissue contusions to his left knee and a sprained wrist.
“He is expected to make a full recovery and remains in good spirits,” Blanchard said.
Investigators were able to quickly locate the vehicle and spoke with the owner, who confirmed Wallace has been in possession of it that day. Authorities were able to make contact with Wallace who was then placed into custody without incident.
During an interview with investigators, Wallace confessed to the trespassing at the Augusta Mall and driving the vehicle that struck Deputy Adams.
Wallace has been charged with one count of criminal trespass and one count of aggravated assault upon a police officer. A charge of shoplifting is pending.
“The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office continues to aggressively pursue charges against those who jeopardize public safety and will not tolerate violent acts against our deputies,” Wallace said.
