Watch CBS News

RI Police: Suspected Shoplifter Dies After Parking Garage Jump

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Police say a suspected shoplifter who was running from store security and died after jumping over a railing at a Rhode Island shopping mall was aware of the 25-foot drop.

Providence police Maj. David Lapatin said Friday that witnesses reported the 35-year-old woman was told to get away from the edge before she jumped.

Lapatin says security caught the woman returning items of women's clothing she had taken off of racks without paying for them at a Nordstrom in Providence Place Mall at around 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

When Nordstrom security tried to apprehend her, police say she escaped to the first level of the parking garage and jumped over the railing.

She was taken to Rhode Island Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Her identity has not been released.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.