A St. Joseph woman accused of shoplifting and stealing a vehicle pleaded guilty Thursday. Shanique Buckner could face up to 22 years in prison, but she could also get off much easier if she’s accepted into the Drug Court program.

Shanique Buckner, 24, was charged in separate cases with robbery and vehicle tampering. The robbery case stems from a shoplifting incident March 16 at the East Hills Shopping Center, in which employees of J.C. Penney were injured trying to stop her from leaving the store with about $400 worth of merchandise.

Court documents say she bit one of the employees and caused another to be cut on the finger. Those injuries led to the class-b felony robbery charge. As we reported, the arresting officers said the keys to a stolen vehicle fell out of her pocket during the struggle. That led to the tampering charge.

A probable cause affidavit indicates she and others may have been involved in several other crimes, including other shoplifting incidents at J.C. Penney. The court affidavit states Buckner has at least three arrests for failure to appear in court. She is listed as a suspect in three stolen vehicle cases in less than a month, and at least five fraudulent uses of a credit/debit device.

In court on Thursday, Buckner told Circuit Judge Daniel Kellogg she spotted a car that was running, got in and took off. She also admitted leaving the Penney store without paying for merchandise. She acknowledged there was a struggle, but said she didn’t know if she bit someone. She did admit causing injuries.

Also in court Thursday was the defendant’s mother, who noted that Buckner was on drugs but was trying to straighten out her life. Buckner told the judge she’d do anything to avoid spending up to 22 years in prison, the maximum terms for the two crimes. Buckner said she did not want to be separated from her daughter.

Judge Kellogg ordered a treatment court assessment, and will see Buckner in court for sentencing May 22.  She remains in custody in the Buchanan County Jail.