NATCHEZ — The theft of a dog harness and bottle of antibiotic ointment led Natchez police on a chase that ended with a car in a bayou and its driver in the hospital.

Natchez police responded to a call of shoplifting at approximately 9:25 a.m. Friday and were nearly hit by Taraus Granger, 27, who was leaving Walmart’s parking lot in her car, NPD Detective Jerry Ford said.

The officers were able to back up and avoid being hit by Granger’s car and began pursuing the Natchez resident north on Seargent S. Prentiss Drive.

When Granger tried to make a right turn on Old Washington Road near Holiday Apartments, she lost control of the vehicle and it flipped over as it went into the top part of a bayou, Ford said.

Granger’s car damaged a stop sign, fire hydrant and cable box along the way.

Granger told officers she didn’t have any injuries, but she was still transported to Natchez Regional Medical Center to be examined.

She was booked into the Natchez City Jail on charges of shoplifting, disregard for traffic device, reckless driving, no proof of insurance and fleeing from police officers.

Granger was released on a $2,697 bond Friday afternoon.

Following an interrogation, Ford said officers determined Granger had stolen a dog harness and a bottle of Neosporin from Walmart before fleeing.