20yo Geraldton woman accused of aggravated robbery at Rigters IGA after refusing to hand over backpack

A 20-year-old woman is accused of injuring a supermarket worker after she allegedly failed to pay for groceries and refused to hand over her backpack.

Geraldton detectives allege around 5pm on Thursday, January 5, Hanna Nazir entered Rigters IGA supermarket on Durlacher Street and stole $28.30 worth of items.

Det. Sen. Sgt. Bruce McDonald said Ms Nazir allegedly placed items into her backpack as she walked around the store and tried to leave without paying.

He said Ms Nazir was approached by a staff member who asked her to return the allegedly stolen items and she began to resist. He alleged she injured the employee, who twice asked for the goods to be returned.

“She refused to hand over the items, so the employee grabbed her backpack and again asked for the return of the stolen items,” he said.

“The female became upset and began to struggle with the store employee, assaulting the employee in the process of trying to get her bag back.”

Det. Sen Sgt McDonald said the employee was scratched on the arm by the accused, causing the skin to break, bleed and bruise, causing pain and discomfort.

“The female eventually snatched her bag back from the employee and ran from the store,” he said.

Detectives arrested and charged Ms Nazir on Monday after reviewing the store’s CCTV footage.

Ms Nazir was charged with aggravated robbery and was remanded in custody until her court appearance on Tuesday. She was then released on bail and is scheduled to reappear on February 27.