CHARLES COUNTY, MD (WCIV) — A Waldorf woman, Shannon Nicole Smallwood, 36, has been arrested on multiple charges after two separate theft incidents, with one escalating into an assault on a store employee.
The first incident occurred on March 17, 2025, at the Westlake Exxon/Dash In located along Crain Highway in Waldorf. According to the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, Smallwood was identified on surveillance footage as the individual who entered the store, walked behind the counter, and stole two packs of Newport cigarettes, valued at approximately $28.08. The store manager later confirmed Smallwood’s identity, and a criminal summons was issued, charging her with theft under $100.
Just a day later, on March 18, 2025, Smallwood returned to the same Dash In location. At around 6:00 p.m., she again entered the store, walked behind the counter, and grabbed seven packs of Newport cigarettes. As Smallwood attempted to leave the store without paying, the clerk tried to stop her. Court records indicate that Smallwood then punched the clerk in the face, breaking her eyeglasses, and continued to assault her before walking away.
Officers quickly located Smallwood at a nearby commuter lot on Route 925, where she was wearing clothing matching the description provided by witnesses and security footage. Smallwood was arrested by Officer Huston of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office and charged with multiple offenses, including:
Theft under $100
Second-degree assault
Malicious destruction of property under $1,000
The total value of the attempted theft was estimated at $82.62, with one pack of cigarettes valued at $13.24 confirmed as stolen. The victim’s eyeglasses were damaged during the assault, and physical injury was noted.
Smallwood appeared before Judge Andrea Watkins on March 19, 2025, and was ordered to be held without bond at the Charles County Detention Center.
