[KevinP73]

Woman dies hiding from police

Posted: Aug 19, 2008 01:32 PM PDT
A suspected shoplifter makes a deadly decision trying to hide from police. Twenty-six year-old Tyree Tate of Delta Township died after being crushed in an industrial-sized trash compactor.

It happened outside the Goodwill store on Saginaw Highway. That's across the street from the Lansing mall. It all started Monday morning with a trip to the Lansing mall. Police say Tyree Tate and her younger sister walked out of TJ Maxx with two bags full of children's clothing they never paid for. But when a security guard tried to stop them...

Fredrick Mcphail, Eaton County Undersheriff: "The shoplifters had sprayed the security guard in the face with mace or pepper spray, and fled across the mall parking lot."

Police say the women crossed Saginaw highway and ran behind the Goodwill store where deputies found Tate's sister crouching next to this trash compactor.

Fredrick Mcphail: "when the suspect saw the deputy, she ran toward Meijer and was apprehended by that deputy without incident."

...but she wouldn't tell officers where they could find her sister. In a matter of minutes, an employee here at the goodwill store, came and pushed the start button on the trash compactor that's when they realized, someone was inside.

Fredrick Mcphail: "whether they heard a scream or could see something, or what I'm not sure. But they were able to stop the process and call for help."

Rescuers pulled the woman from the machine. She died hours later at the hospital.

Fredrick Mcphail: "It's certainly a tragedy for the family."

A family now left mourning a punishment that didn't fit the crime.