PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A suspected shoplifter ran from store security and jumped over a railing at a Rhode Island shopping mall, falling 25 feet to her death, authorities said.
The 35-year-old woman who died Thursday evening was aware of the drop, police said Friday. Providence Place Mall security personnel told police they heard over a radio someone telling the woman to get away from the edge and that it was dangerous, said Providence police Maj. David Lapatin.
A Nordstrom security guard had approached the woman about 7:30 p.m. Thursday after she returned women’s clothing she had taken off of racks but hadn’t paid for, Lapatin said. The woman received hundreds of dollars in cash for the returned items.
The woman left the store, with the security guard behind her, and entered the parking garage, where she jumped over the railing, Lapatin said.
He said it wasn’t clear if the woman was walking or running before she jumped, and he would not comment on whether the woman paused before leaping.
The woman was taken to Rhode Island Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Her identity has not been released.
Detectives watched surveillance video of the leap, but they have no plans to release it, Lapatin said.
He called it “a very unfortunate incident” and said criminal charges weren’t being contemplated.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.