Posted Friday, May 25, 2012 --- 11:30 a.m.

From the Madison Police Department:

Incident Type:
Retail Theft

Incident Date:
05/22/2012 - 3:39 PM

Address:
West Towne Mall

Suspect(s):
Female, age 37, Madison
Suspect is at large.

Arrested:
Demetra L. Braxton, age 44, Madison
Ms. Braxton was arrested for Retail Theft, Receiving Stolen Property, Disorderly Conduct, Resisting/Obstructing, and on a Probation Violation.

Victim:
Male, age 28, Madison

Details:
The retail theft suspect reached into her purse, threw down two stolen shirts, and said to the loss prevention officer (LPO): I'll blast you mother (expletive), you better back up!

The words flew as she continued to have her hand in her purse.

The Boston Store employee feared he might be shot in the West Towne Mall parking lot Tuesday afternoon.

Around the same time, a second suspected shoplifter - an accomplice of the woman with her hand in her purse - took a swing at the 28-year old LPO, grazing his forehead.

His pursuit came after the woman stole more than $500 worth of merchandise from his employer.

The woman who threw the punch was able to get away, but the MPD arrested the other suspect.

She had 7 or 8 new watches in a bag. She told the arresting officer that the security guard misinterpreted her threat. She says in her nomenclature the word "blast" does not necessarily mean a gun, but also can be used to suggest a punch. So when she said "blast" she meant she might hit him with a fist. She had no gun.