Aurora police: Woman dragged store employee with vehicle during theft

Aurora police have arrested a 52-year-old Montgomery woman on charges she stole from a grocery store in February and dragged an employee a short distance with her vehicle after the employee tried to stop her in the parking lot.

Lori R. Federman, of the 100 block of Keck Avenue, turned herself in to police Wednesday after an arrest warrant on felony charges of aggravated battery and retail theft was issued, police said Monday.

According to police, Federman was seen shoplifting several items, including meat and vitamins, around 6:15 p.m. Feb. 19 from a grocery store on the 1900 block of West Galena Boulevard on the city's west side.

A 24-year-old employee confronted Federman, who ran to her car with the employee giving chase, police said.

After getting into her car, Federman grabbed the female employee's collar, pulling her partially in and driving off, police said.

After letting the employee go, Federman left through the parking lot's east exit.

The worker suffered minor injuries that were treated by Aurora Fire Department paramedics.

If convicted, Federman faces a punishment ranging from probation to up to five years in prison for aggravated battery, which is the most serious charge in the case.

Federman is free on bond, and her next court date was not immediately available. She does not have any previous felony criminal arrests in Kane County, records show.

However, she was arrested and charged with felony retail theft of more than $150 in September 2014 in Kendall County, records show. The charge was later reduced to misdemeanor, and she pleaded guilty in March 2015 and was sentenced to a year of probation and 200 hours of community service, which she completed, records show.