Two arrested in Meijer shoplifting incidents

Two Pontiac men were arrested and jailed on suspicion of shoplifting on two different days at a Meijer store in Rochester Hills, authorities said.

The first incident occurred about 5 p.m. on Friday, October 6, and involved a 20-year-old Pontiac man who said he was planning to sell the stolen items on the street for food.

A loss prevention employee at the store, 3610 Marketplace Drive, told an Oakland County Sheriff's deputy he observed the man put a bottle of Absolut vodka and bottle of Coppola wine in his backpack. The man also had several other items in his cart, including light bulbs, a sink stopper, a nightlight and a canister of Mace defense spray.

The employee told authorities the man had several items in his cart and attempted to carry the backpack out of the store without paying for the items in it. He was stopped at the store exit.

A sheriff's deputy said the man claimed he was going to sell the alcohol on the street and use the money to purchase food. The total value of all the items was about $65.

The man was arrested in connection with retail fraud. Authorities said the man had two outstanding warrants for his arrest, including one in Macomb County and another in Auburn Hills for failure to appear for a court date for a charge of retail fraud. He was taken to the Oakland County Jail and held on $1,500 bond.

In another incident, a 40-year-old Pontiac man was arrested on Sunday, October 8, after allegedly stealing about $75 in toiletries and fleeing the same Meijer store.

A loss prevention employee at the store told sheriff's deputies the man had stuffed several items into his pants and fled the store when approached. The items included deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes and bath items. Deputies said the man tied the bottom of his pant legs to prevent the items from slipping out of his clothes.

A loss prevention employee told deputies he approached the man, who then ran out of the store and across the parking lot. The sheriff's office received reports after the incident from residents concerned about the well-being of a man near Heron Ridge and Greenspring who appeared to be out of breath and sweaty, who happened to match the description of the alleged shoplifter.

Deputies found the man and discovered he was in possession of several of the stolen toiletry items. The man was subsequently arrested in connection with retail fraud.

Deputies said the man had an outstanding arrest warrant for failure to appear for a court date, and was subsequently booked at the Oakland County Jail.