An attempt to stop a shoplifter at a Rite Aid in Hillsboro, Oregon, escalated to a scuffle as an employee tried to subdue the struggling woman.

Witness footage shows a Rite Aid employee trying to detain a young woman in the store until police arrive.

The unidentified woman had allegedly stolen two items from the pharmacy chain and put them in her purse.

She repeatedly tells the unidentified male employee to 'let go' of her purse.

When he refuses, she attempts to twist her purse out of his hands.

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Footage shows a female shoplifter fighting with an employee at a Rite Aid in Hillsboro, Oregon

The male employee tries to detain the young woman in the store until police arrive

'We're going to call the police and deal with this the right way,' the employee says calmly.

A tug-of-war ensues, with both parties involved getting increasingly frustrated.

The incident unfolded in front of a cash register near the store's exit.

In the nearly five-minute video by KodyXO, the woman fights with the store employee trying to recover the merchandise.

'You know what happens to you when you insult someone?' the woman argues. 'You'll go to f***ing jail.'

Shoplifting in Oregon is a serious crime, punishable by up to 10 years in jail and a $250,000 fine.

Stores there can sue shoplifters in civil court to recover damages.

'Good, good. When the police get here we'll see,' the employee replies, shaking his head.

The alleged shoplifter tries to provoke the employee and does not lose eye contact with him.

He allegedly caught her stealing two items from the store and putting them in her purse

The unidentified woman repeatedly tells the male employee to 'let go' of her purse

When he refuses, she attempts to twist her purse out of his hands

'You don't shoplift here. You can go somewhere else but not in here,' he says, as she continues to writhe under his grasp.

She agrees with him and asks him to let her go 'somewhere else' before attempting to yank her purse out of his hands.

Not caught on camera, is the pair's altercation in the store's parking lot, where the employee allegedly chased and brought her back inside.

She references this moment: ' You just hurt me in the parking lot.'

Another Rite Aid employee comes over to help and the woman asks if she can tell the man to let go of her.

The female employee informs her coworker that the police are on their way.

This elicits a violent response from the alleged shoplifter.

'Ah, you're gonna start kickin'?' the male employee says, surprised.

The woman asks another Rite Aid employee (left) if she can tell the man to let go of her

The unidentified female employee informs her coworker that the police are on their way

This elicits a violent response from the alleged shoplifter, who kicks the male employee

A female customer in a blue jacket approaches the pair in an attempt to break up the fight

It's at this time that a female customer in a blue windbreaker approaches the pair.

The alleged shoplifter tells her that the male employee hurt her in the parking lot.

'I'm gonna take you down for that now!' the male employee says as he wrestles her to the floor. The force knocks off her glasses.

A female witness can be heard in the background saying: 'M'am you need to chill out; you need to chill'

Halfway through the video the alleged shoplifter cries and screams 'let me go' as other Rite Aid employees and customers surround the fight.

Now with an audience, the alleged shoplifter throws a punch at the male employee - narrowly missing his head.

He continues to tell her to stop and does not retaliate.

Police arrive at the Rite Aid and arrest the alleged female shoplifter, sans purse

Shoplifting in Oregon is punishable by up to 10 years in jail and a $250,000 fine

'Don't you hit her; she's smaller than you,' a female witness in a gray coat says on camera.

'I'm not hitting her,' the male employee replies as he continues to struggle with the alleged shoplifter.

'Don't bite him either,' the same female witness says, as she stands to the side with her arms crossed. She later informs the alleged shoplifter that she is being filmed.

Finally, the alleged shoplifter relinquishes her purse to the male employee, just as police arrive and arrest her.