Cops: CVS worker threatens other employees, assaults officer in Valley Stream store

A Queens woman is facing assault and weapons charges after police said she threatened fellow employees with a knife Thursday at a CVS store in Valley Stream, barricaded herself in the manager's office and punched a female officer in the face when police tried to arrest her.

Jennifer Miles, 28, was charged with second-degree assault, second-degree criminal mischief, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, two counts of second-degree menacing, resisting arrest and obstructing governmental administration, Nassau County police said.

She faces arraignment Friday in First District Court in Hempstead.

Police said Miles became involved in "a dispute" with fellow employees at the CVS at 44 North Central Ave., then threatened a 26-year-old male employee and a 19-year-old female employee with a knife before barricading herself in the manager's office, refusing to open the door around 3:45 p.m.

Responding officers, with assistance from Emergency Services Unit officers, eventually got Miles to exit the room, but police said that as officers attempted to take Miles into custody she "punched an officer in the face." That officer was treated at a nearby hospital and later released.

Police said an investigation determined that Miles "had caused substantial damage" to "numerous" items in the store, but did not immediately detail that damage.

It was not immediately clear if Miles is represented by counsel.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”