Woman Fatally Injured Chasing Shoplifter

The co-owner of a convenience store in the northwest Washington community of Sedro-Woolley was fatally injured and her nephew was less seriously hurt after they chased a shoplifter out to a waiting vehicle.

The Skagit Valley Herald reports Police Chief Lin Tucker said Friday that the male shoplifter grabbed beer Thursday night at the James Market and headed outside, pursued by the woman and man from the store. The chief says the fleeing SUV hit them both and dragged the woman.

She was pronounced dead at a hospital. Sgt. David Pierce says her nephew suffered minor injuries.

The newspaper says the victim was market co-owner Yongmin Pak. The store was closed Friday. A steady stream of customers dropped by, some just learning the news and others leaving flowers, balloons and cards.

Police say three other people — two men and a woman — were waiting in the light-colored SUV.

Police say the woman had previously been hit by a vehicle while trying to stop a person who was stealing from the store. Pierce says she suffered a broken leg in November 2010.