Two men who brought along a 1-year-old child while they went on a shoplifting spree Monday were arrested after one of them punched a Collier County sheriff’s deputy and a store employee as they tried to make their getaway, deputies said.Craig Marshall Daniels, 31, who arrest reports say is homeless, and Kelvin Shane Townsend, 30, 2983 Terrace Ave., East Naples, were each charged with grand theft.
Reports gave this account:
Townsend walked into Beall’s department store, 3701 U.S. 41 E., East Naples, around 5:45 p.m. and began loading a shopping cart with merchandise. He pushed the cart near the front exit door. He then took a black baseball cap, pulled off the price tag and walked out of the store wearing the cap.
Townsend returned to the store a few minutes later holding his 1-year-old daughter and accompanied by Daniels. Townsend and Daniels went in separate directions and loaded items into shopping carts.
Townsend pushed his cart near the front entrance and left the store with his daughter. They got into a white Dodge Durango. Townsend drove away with his daughter on his lap. He returned to the store a few minutes later, parking near the entrance.
Daniels pushed his shopping cart to the front entrance of the store. He grabbed all the merchandise inside the cart and ran out of the store without paying, heading toward the Durango.
The store’s loss prevention officer followed Daniels out of the store. Daniels turned around and punched the employee in the face.
Two Collier sheriff’s deputies then attempted to restrain Daniels, who punched one of the deputies in the face, breaking her sunglasses.
Deputies were able to subdue Daniels, taking him and Townsend into custody. The child was turned over to her mother.
A search of Daniels turned up a narcotic pipe with methamphetamine residue.
Daniels was also charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting a merchant, battery, resisting arrest with violence, possession of narcotic paraphernalia and possession of methamphetamine.
Townsend was also charged with child neglect.
