Shoplifting incident devolves into charge of attempted murder

A Florida woman is looking at a second-degree attempted murder felony charge after she intentionally rammed her car into into an employee at a Vero Beach, Florida, Family Dollar store. The employee had tried to stop her and another person he accused of shoplifting.

The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office arrested Alexandra Phillipe, 22, of Orlando, who faces a multitude of charges. The Sheriff’s Office also arrested Rodrick Robinson, 27, of Apopka, on Tuesday, January 12. Robinson faces two charges of shoplifting and resisting a merchant.

The incident happened Tuesday afternoon at the Family Dollar located at 4490 43rd Avenue in Vero Beach.  Employees told investigators that Robinson pushed his way through a fire exit, carrying a large tub containing more than $200 worth of merchandise and ignored one employee’s demands to drop the tub.

That employee and Robinson continued to struggle over the tub as Robinson walked toward a vehicle that was backed into a parking spot and running. While Robinson and the employee struggled, Phillipe got into the driver’s seat.

Another employee came out and stood in front of the vehicle, telling Phillipe to stop. Instead, Phillipe rolled the car forward but didn’t strike the man as he had moved out of the way.

Once Robinson got into the car, Phillipe quickly accelerated and struck the employee. He was flung up onto the hood of the car, where he was able to grab and hold on.

The victim told investigators that he feared for his life and thought the driver would continue driving with him on the hood.

Phillipe swerved the vehicle through the parking lot, and just before making it to 43rd Avenue, the employee let go and was thrown to the ground.

He sustained facial, hand and leg injuries consisting of scrapes and gashes and refused immediate medical treatment.

Phillipe was able to flee to Interstate 95, where deputies were ultimately able to stop her and take her and Robinson into custody.

For her part, Phillipe said she did not know Robinson had gone into the store to shoplift.

Phillipe is currently being held at the Indian River County Jail without bail. Her charges consist of felony second degree murder – attempted, felony reckless driving with serious bodily injury, leaving the scene of a crash on public/private property without rendering aid – involving injury, resist merchant, and misdemeanor shoplifting/retail theft.

The booking photo at the lead of this article is from Orange County Public Records – when on February 15, 2018 – when at 19 years old, Phillipe was arrested and charged with Suspicion of Possession of Methamphetamines (MDMA and Ecstasy) in Orlando. Robinson’s bail has been set at $5,000.

(Source: Indian River County Sheriff’s Office)

~ Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today   /   Follow Richard on Facebook and Twitter