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Police: Shoplifter crashes police cruiser into Home Depot

SNELLVILLE, Ga. — A shoplifter crashed a police cruiser into the front of a Home Depot store Friday afternoon, according to Snellville police.

The crash happened on Scenic Highway in Gwinnett County.

Police said it started when a shoplifter tried to steal about $90 worth of products. Store security tried to restrain the woman, and then called Snellville police for assistance.

News Chopper 2 flew over the store when the cruiser was crashed into one of the store's front pillars. Police said the woman was handcuffed in the back of the squad car and climbed to the front before an officer closed the cage.

"The car was running, so she got it out of gear and drove off. Other officers had arrived. They were trying to get her leg off the accelerator," Snellville Police Chief Roy Whitehead told Channel 2's Kerry Kavanaugh.

An officer was injured in the process.

"It happened when the officer was on this side and got trapped between the curb and the car," Whitehead said.

The officer was hospitalized with a broken arm, Whitehead said.

After the crash, the struggle continued to keep the woman in custody. It took several officers to place her in a paddy wagon.

Police said the woman was banging her head on the side of a car and tried to wrap a seat belt around her neck.

Officers are still trying to identify the woman. They said she gave them three different names and claimed to be under the influence of heavy illegal drugs.