Accused Seattle liquor thief who sprayed worker with mace faces judge; charged with six crimes
Zaniyah Holston in King County courtroom
UPDATE November 25, 2014 -- Zaniyah Holston pleaded 'not guilty' to six charges in court on Tuesday.
A judge set her bail at $30,000.
Zaniyah Holston
FUGITIVE CAPTURED October 7, 2014 -- Fugitive Zaniyah Holston was arrested in Cobb County, Georgia on Tuesday for a violent shoplift at a Home Depot. She was arrested for Theft by Shoplifting, Battery, Giving False Name, Address or Birthdate to a Law Enforcement Officer, and for Possession of Tools for the Commission of a Crime. Cobb County Police Officer Mike Bowman says Holston was caught stealing two door knobs and a case from Home Depot. When a loss prevention officer tried to stop her, Holston bit him in the chest which is why she is being charged with Battery. She gave police officers two different names and dates of birth and claimed she was a juvenile. She had a large magnet-type of device which is used to defeat stores security tags, said Officer Bowman, which is why she is facing a felony charge of Possession of Tools for the Commission of a Crime. Her bail was set at $25,000. Seattle police say they are working with authorities there to bring her back to Seattle where she faces robbery charges.
Zaniyah Holston: Booking photo from Cobb County, Georgia
WANTED IN SEATTLE August 14, 2014 -- Seattle police are asking for your help finding the accused liquor thief who sprayed Mace on store employees who tried to stop her. They got a couple of good pictures of her and detectives identified her as Zaniyah Holston. Cops say on she and three other women came into the store on 4th Avenue South in Seattle, split up and then loaded their bags with bottles.
They pushed past employees who tried to stop them, then accused the workers of harassing them because they were black. Police say Holston asked one of the other suspects for the pepper Mace and was handed a large can and started spraying. "You take a look at this gal, I mean she deliberately wants to hurt somebody with this pepper spray," said retired detective Myrle Carner, now with Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound. "Doesn't think anything about it. Spraying the guy right in the face. Isn't like she's trying to defend herself. She's just trying to get away with a robbery." Police say Holston has been involved in robberies at several other liquor stores so it's not likely she's going to stop stealing anytime soon. If you know where police can find Zaniyah Holston, Call an anonymous tip into: CRIME STOPPERS: 1-800-222-TIPS You must call the Crime Stoppers hotline with your tip to be eligible to receive a cash reward for information leading to a fugitive’s arrest. Click here for information on how to text a tip to Crime Stoppers.