Far Rockaway woman charged in North Lawrence robbery

Nassau County police arrested a Far Rockaway woman for the alleged theft of merchandise from a North Lawrence department store on Aug. 31.

Debra Allenby, 56, entered Burlington Coat Factory at 345 Rockaway Tpke. at 9:25 a.m. Allenby allegedly removed the tags from a wallet, placed it in her pocket and exited the store without paying for the merchandise, police said. Store management decided not to report the incident to police.

Allenby returned to the store at 2:30 p.m. and was immediately recognized by employees, according to police. A store manager tried to approach her, who refused to stop and then exited the store. A patrol officer found Allenby in the parking lot.

She refused to comply with verbal commands. Allenby physically engaged the officer, placed her hand on his firearm and attempted to remove it. She was subdued and arrested. The officer suffered cuts and bruises to his forearms and elbows. He was taken to an area hospital for treatment.

Allenby is charged with robbery second-degree, assault third-degree, two counts of petit larceny, resisting arrest and obstruction of governmental administration. She will be arraigned Sept. 1 at First District Court in Hempstead.