AUGUSTA, Ga ()- A woman is in jail tonight after the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says she hit a deputy with a car.
The RCSO was called to the Augusta Mall just before 3:30 Saturday afternoon to respond to a trespasser on the property.
On June 19, Toni Wallace received a ban from the mall and was informed that she could not return. A mall security officer, upon spotting her at the location, contacted the RCSO. Wallace’s criminal record reveals five prior arrests for shoplifting in addition to other offenses.
After watching security camera video, Wallace was positively identified, and Deputy Jeff Adams searched for her.
He found her in the parking lot in a white 2020 Nissan Altima. Deputy Adams approached the car waving his hands and instructing her to stop.
Despite instructions to stop, Wallace sped up the vehicle, striking the deputy and injuring his hand and knee. He was transported to Piedmont Hospital for treatment, and it is expected that he will fully recover.
Investigators contacted the owner of the car who confirmed that Wallace had been using it all day Saturday.
Investigators and road patrol deputies then made contact with Wallace who was placed into custody without incident.
Following an interview with investigators, Wallace confessed to both trespassing at the Augusta Mall and driving the vehicle that hit Deputy Adams.
Wallace was arrested and charged with Aggravated Assault upon a Police Officer, Criminal Trespass, and a shoplifting charge is pending.
The incident is still under investigation.
