Left, the Starbucks in Selden where police say Noel McPhail,...

Left, the Starbucks in Selden where police say Noel McPhail, 24, of Selden, left, stole the tip jar and attempted to flee to a nearby wooded area. (Aug. 7, 2013) Credit: James Carbone, Suffolk County Police

A Selden woman who stole a tip jar Tuesday from a coffee shop was chased by employees before being arrested on a petty larceny charge, Suffolk County police said.

Noel McPhail, 24, took a plastic tips jar containing an unspecified amount of cash from a Starbucks at 1251 Middle Country Rd. in Selden at about 2:11 p.m., police said.

She fled to a wooded area in back of the shop, where employees chased her. One employee called 911 and a Sixth Precinct Crime Section sergeant saw her running across Middle Country Road, police said.

The sergeant and Sixth Precinct officers who responded then arrested her, police said.

McPhail, of 52 Kings Ave., is charged with petty larceny and possession of a hypodermic instrument and is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday at First District Court in Central Islip.

Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV Credit: Newsday

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New grub for Islanders season ... Study: Penn Station needs to expand ... What's up on LI this weekend ... Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV

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