SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. — A shoplifting suspect is behind bars after allegedly hitting a Sarasota deputy with her car in an attempt to get away.
“That’s horrific,” said shopper Lori Devine.
The suspect's name is Easter Goodman.
Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office says deputies caught the woman shoplifting over the weekend, during a three-day shoplifting sting in conjunction with University Town Center Mall security. Goodman is one of eight people who were arrested during the sting. Detectives say she’s the only one who took it to the extreme while trying to run from the deputies.
Shoppers were shocked to see the graphic video, but not shocked by Goodman’s alleged actions.
“This world is filled with people who do a lot of stuff these days,” said Devine. “It’s just sad that she wasn’t thinking this man may have a family.”
Deputies say she was determined to get away.
“The defendant in this case clearly has a disregard for humanity and for law enforcement,” said Sarasota County Sheriff’s spokeswoman, Kaitlyn Perez.
Goodman has a very long criminal history in Manatee and Sarasota counties. Most of her crimes involve shoplifting or robbery.
“Apparently she doesn’t learn lessons very well,” said Devine.
Goodman is facing a number of charges, including two counts of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer.
“I hope she’s learned her lesson,” Perez said. “But I wouldn’t be surprised if this were to happen again sometime in the future.”
