Georgia Shoplifter Dragged Officer 100 Yards in Car After Walmart Theft

A 19-year-old woman identified as Destinee Riggins was arrested after a dramatic incident that occurred late last week in Covington, Georgia. According to local authorities, Riggins allegedly stole merchandise from a nearby Walmart and attempted to flee the scene by driving away with a police officer still hanging onto her car.

Body camera footage obtained by WSB shows the moment when the Covington Police Department officer approached Riggins's Kia after receiving a report of shoplifting activity at Walmart. As the officer instructed Riggins to put her vehicle in park, she responded that it was already in park and then accelerated suddenly, dragging the officer over 100 yards through QuikTrip’s parking lot.

"Won't you please put your car in park?" the officer can be heard saying before Riggins speeds off. The footage captures the harrowing moment when the officer is dragged along with the vehicle, screaming for her to stop. He eventually fell from the car and sustained injuries that left him "in a lot of pain," according to Detective Daniel Seals of the Covington Police Department.

Riggins was stopped shortly after the incident by other officers who arrived on the scene. She was found in possession of a stolen handgun, which she had concealed in a bag during her escape attempt. The weapon and the stolen merchandise were seized as evidence.

The officer involved in the incident sustained minor injuries including scrapes and bruises but is recovering at home. Detective Seals emphasized that such incidents highlight the dangers inherent in any traffic stop, regardless of its initial appearance.

Riggins faces multiple charges including aggravated assault on an officer, armed robbery, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and other related offenses. She will likely be held without bond until her next court date.

The incident has drawn significant attention from local law enforcement and the community, underscoring the risks faced by police officers in routine traffic stops. It also highlights the dangers associated with armed robbery and the use of vehicles as weapons during escape attempts.