Vallejo police: Shoplifting suspect coughed in Target workers' faces to make getaway Woman, 40, turns herself in

Vallejo police say Julie Santos, 40, coughed on store employees to avoid being held for shoplifting. Santos is associated with Kadeem Reese, 30, who was arrested in 12 unrelated robberies at Vallejo gas stations and convenience stores in March. less Vallejo police say Julie Santos, 40, coughed on store employees to avoid being held for shoplifting. Santos is associated with Kadeem Reese, 30, who was arrested in 12 unrelated robberies at Vallejo gas ... more Photo: Vallejo Police Department Photo: Vallejo Police Department Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Vallejo police: Shoplifting suspect coughed in Target workers' faces to make getaway 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

A suspected shoplifter who Vallejo police say intentionally coughed in the faces of Target security employees to make her escape has surrendered.

The woman, identified by police as Julie Santos, 40, of Vallejo, turned herself in at police headquarters Tuesday night.

Police said that on March 27, loss-prevention workers at a Target store in the 900 block of Admiral Callaghan Lane confronted Santos after she concealed merchandise and left the store without paying. She then approached the employees and deliberately hacked at them at close range.

Fearing possible COVID-19 infection, the Target staffers backed away, allowing the suspect to flee in a getaway car.

Besides being wanted for the robbery, Santos was also wanted on an unrelated warrant for theft, police said. She has prior convictions for multiple offenses, including assault with a deadly weapon, burglary, theft and battery.

Police said a man they arrested in a string of robberies between March 2 and March 31 is associated with Santos.

Based on eyewitness reports, detectives identified Kadeem Reese, 30, as the sole suspect in 12 robberies at gas stations and convenience stores in Vallejo. Reese, who has prior robbbery and assault convictions, and was wanted on a parole warrant, was taken into custody April 3.

Police said the suspect used a knife and eventually a firearm in carrying out the robberies.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Terry Schillinger at (707) 648-4278.

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Mike Moffitt is an SFGATE Digital Reporter. Email: moffitt@sfgate.com. Twitter: @Mike_at_SFGate