Published in Palo Alto Weekly, August 27, 2009

Oakland police Wednesday afternoon arrested one of two suspected shoplifters who fled Stanford Shopping Center in a rental car about 7 p.m. Tuesday — after stealing a swimsuit and pepper spraying three Nordstrom security guards Monday evening.

Police worked with the rental-car company to locate the rental car, Palo Alto police Sgt. Dan Ryan said. He said Oakland officers found Shunaka Jackson, 32, with the car, along with the stolen swimsuit.

Ryan said officers also worked with a California state parole officer and Oakland police on the case. Jackson, an Oakland resident, was stopped by Oakland officers about 2 p.m. Tuesday at 92nd Street and Plymouth Avenue.

Jackson was booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail in San Jose for robbery, being a parolee in possession of chemical spray and a parole hold.

The three security officers have recovered.

The use of pepper spray turned what would have been theft into robbery, Ryan said.

Jackson’s alleged accomplice, her 21-year-old cousin, has not yet been located, Ryan said. He said the women are believed to be part of a ring that steals merchandise then returns the items for cash.