An Oregon shoplifter who bit off the earlobe of a security guard during a department store theft was sentenced to more than five years in prison.
Security guards confronted Ashlie Ruth Clark, 31, as she exited the Nordstrom at Washington Square Mall in Tigard, Oregon, on July 22.
She was nabbed with over $800 of merchandise, according to the Washington County District Attorney’s Office.
But as the guards attempted to recover the stolen goods, Clark physically resisted arrest and began shouting obscenities at them.
In the middle of the struggle, Clark bit one of the guard’s earlobes, tearing off “at least a half inch” of flesh. The victim was taken to a hospital, where medical professionals were unable to reattach her earlobe.
Officials said that when the Tigard police arrested Clark, she gave a false name and date of birth to the officers, who realized she had two outstanding warrants for her arrest.
Clark was sentenced to 70 months in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree assault and first-degree attempted robbery on Friday.
She is being transferred to the Oregon Department of Corrections to serve her sentence, followed by three years of post-prison supervision after her release.
“The Washington County District Attorney’s Office acknowledges the work of the Tigard Police Department, and the Nordstrom loss prevention team and Washington Square Mall security for their assistance in this investigation,” DA’s office said.