A 32-year-old repeat offender is facing a new theft and assault charge after Sarnia police responded to a panic alarm at a business last week.
Officers were called to a downtown retailer on Wellington Street at 7:20 p.m. on March 18.
It's alleged a female entered the store, carrying a backpack and acting suspiciously, and proceeded to select several items and conceal them in the bag.
When she allegedly approached the front door without making an attempt to pay, she was confronted by a male staff member who tried to restrain her until police arrived.
It's alleged the female struck the worker in the hand with a closed fist and left without the approximately $20 in merchandise.
The staff member was not injured.
Officers reviewed surveillance images, identified the female, and shared the information with patrol officers.
She was located quickly near Victoria Park and taken into custody after a brief chase.
The female was charged with theft under $5,000, assault, and two counts of failing to comply with probation.
Following her bail hearing, city police said she was remanded into custody.
Police said it was their 49th interaction with the female since March 2025, noting she has been arrested 12 times and charged 27 times.
