A 22-year-old man who refused to give his address when questioned by police was arrested on Friday, Jan. 31 after stealing $34.75 worth of merchandise from a Santa Monica Rite Aid store.
Officers of the Santa Monica Police Department responded to the Rite Aid at 1331 Wilshire Blvd regarding a shoplifting suspect being held there by store security.
As the officers responded the suspect became uncooperative and left the store, but the store security agents began following the suspect and kept him in sight.
A responding SMPD officer caught up to the store security agents and stopped the suspect in the 1100 block of Wilshire Boulevard.
The store security agents told the officer that the suspect entered the store, took items belonging to the store, and walked out without paying for them.
As he did this, store personnel attempted to stop the suspect from leaving.
The suspect ignored the employee’s efforts and walked away carrying merchandise that the store estimated at a of value of $34.76.
Officers also developed information that led them to believe that the suspect entered the store with the intent on stealing, which is considered a burglary. Bail was set at $20,000.
