Font ResizeLAS CRUCES - Las Cruces police have arrested an alleged shoplifter who is accused of pulling out a knife and threatening the store employees who prevented his escape.
Donnie Hignite, 39, was arrested Saturday after he allegedly attempted to flee the parking lot of Hobby Lobby at 2350 E. Lohman Ave.
Hignite is charged with one count each of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and shoplifting.
LCPD detectives allege that at around 5 p.m. Saturday, Hignite exited the Hobby Lobby store with more than $600 worth of art supplies.
Upon leaving the store, three Hobby Lobby employees confronted Hignite in the parking lot as he climbed into the driver's seat of a vehicle.
Shortly thereafter, Hignite allegedly exited the vehicle holding a knife in a threatening manner.
Hignite swung the knife at the employees but did not strike them. Hignite then ran from the employees but was caught and wrestled to the ground as he attempted to jump a fence near the store.
The items Hignite allegedly stole were found in a black bag he left in the car. Hignite was booked into the Do-a Ana County Detention Center with bond set at $5,000.
