Jackson woman arrested after attempted perfume heist

A Jackson woman is facing charges after police say she stole perfume from J.C. Penney, assaulted an employee and had a pair of brass knuckles concealed in her backpack.

Victoria Holderbaugh, 20, is charged with second-degree robbery and unlawful use of a weapon, according to online court records.

Police arrived at J.C. Penney about 7:15 p.m. Wednesday in response to a shoplifting report, Cape Girardeau police Sgt. Adam Glueck said.

Employees told police Holderbaugh took three bottles of perfume and hid the merchandise in her backpack before leaving the store without paying, according to a probable-cause statement filed Thursday.

"Outside of the north doors, she was contacted by loss-prevention associates who attempted to get Holderbaugh to come back in the store," the statement says.

Holderbaugh grabbed a female associate and pushed her, the statement said. The associate said Holderbaugh began to fight again and hit and scratched her.

Employees said Holderbaugh was reaching for her backpack during the fight, and she was handcuffed for the associate's safety, according to the statement.

Cpl. Richard Couch, who prepared the probable-cause statement, said once on the scene, he noticed Holderbaugh sitting handcuffed in the parking lot.

"I asked her why she was sitting there, and she stated that she was shoplifting perfume," Couch said in the statement.

The associate had scratches on both forearms, police said, and did not require medical attention.

The perfume was recovered from Holderbaugh's backpack by the loss-prevention associates, the statement says. The employees also found two knives and brass knuckles concealed inside the backpack.

Court documents used to file the charges against Holderbaugh say she "forcibly stole perfume" and "knowingly carried concealed upon or about her person" brass knuckles, a weapon "readily capable of lethal use."

Holderbaugh's bond was set at $50,000. Her initial arraignment is set for Monday at the Cape Girardeau County Courthouse.

klamb@semissourian.com

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Pertinent address:

3049 William St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.