A 24-year-old Minneapolis woman bit a mechanic on his lunch break while fleeing police in a Bloomington gas station lot, according to charges filed after a shoplifting call.
The incident happened at about 4:08 p.m. on August 21 at the Marshall’s store on 78th Street in Bloomington. Police responded to a report that three women in head scarves and full-length gowns were concealing a large amount of children’s clothing under their gowns and leaving the store with two children.
Kemya Mariejeromesha Jackson, 24, of Minneapolis, faces three charges: aiding and abetting theft, fleeing a peace officer on foot and fifth-degree assault.
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According to the complaint, Jackson wore a brown gown and got into a black Chevrolet parked across the street at a gas station. Officers intercepted her as she tried to get into the car and told her she was under arrest for theft. Jackson ran away through the lot, losing her sandals as she fled south.
More officers arrived and found a crying baby, estimated to be between six months and a year old, sitting in a car seat inside the Chevrolet. Jackson ran west around the back of a nearby car mechanic shop.
A mechanic on his lunch break heard an officer yell “stop her!” and moved to help. As the mechanic held Jackson, she bit him, causing him to cry out, “ow! She’s biting me! She’s biting me!” Officers saw bite marks, broken skin and bruising on the mechanic’s shoulder.
Police detained Jackson and she told them she was pregnant. She was transported to HCMC, but medical paperwork later advised she was not pregnant. Officers saw a large amount of children’s clothing in the Chevrolet and a brown head scarf and gown on the driver’s seat. The retail report listed the value of 50 stolen items at $1,313.50. The charge was filed August 24 in Hennepin County District Court.
About This Charge
Minnesota classifies assault by degree under § 609.221 (first), § 609.222 (second), § 609.223 (third), § 609.2231 (fourth) and § 609.224 (fifth). First-degree assault, alleging great bodily harm, carries up to 20 years in prison. The lower degrees range from gross-misdemeanor up to 10-year felony exposure depending on weapon use and harm.
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Jurisdictional Context
Hennepin County is Minnesota’s most populous jurisdiction. The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office handles felony prosecutions across Minneapolis and 45 surrounding cities; the Fourth Judicial District presides over felony arraignments and trials at the Hennepin County Government Center in downtown Minneapolis.
