Accused Mall Shoplifter Charged in Scuffle with Security Officers

A Bronx man accused of shoplifting at Palisades Center mall in West Nyack is charged with getting into a scuffle with two security officers who tried to detain him, biting one of them and threatening them both with a windshield wiper broken off a car, according to Clarkstown police.

The incident elevated petty larceny charges against George Dankwah, 37, of the Bronx, to include third-degree robbery and third-degree assault charges.

Police said Dankwah and Darren Agyeman, 38, also of the Bronx, were arrested 3 p.m. Saturday in connection with an incident at the Lord and Taylor department store at the mall. Police said the men are accused of taking $378.98 worth of merchandise and leaving the store without paying.

Dankwah is accused of pushing a security officer and biting another security officer in the wrist in his attempt to get away. During that attempt, police said Dankwah broke a windshield wiper off a car an tried to hit the security officers with the wiper.

Dankwah was arrested by Clarkstown town officers. Police said Agyeman was arrested without incident.

Agyeman is accused of petty larceny and fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property. He was later ordered held in the Rockland County Correctional Facility in New City on $500 bail.

Dankway was also charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief, fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property and second-degree harassment. He was ordered held in the county jail on $10,000 bail pending a hearing on Wednesday.