MT. JULIET, Tenn. (WKRN) -- Authorities took a man into custody Sunday afternoon who was allegedly involved in an unreported theft of thousands of dollars' worth of items from a Mt. Juliet home improvement store.

According to the Mt. Juliet Police Department, an officer patrolling the retail areas on Sunday, Aug. 3 noticed a van parked at Lowe's without a license plate. That van contained stacks of merchandise sitting in plain view.

Officials said a man "associated with the vehicle" started to leave, but when law enforcement approached him, he ran off. After a short foot chase, police caught him.

According to authorities, the 41-year-old Memphis man "had just stolen over $7,000 in merchandise from Lowe’s—an incident that had not yet been discovered by store staff."

Police said the investigation is ongoing, adding that the man is believed to be connected to similar thefts across the region. He was arrested for felony theft, evading arrest, and burglary since he had reportedly been trespassed from Lowe’s last August.

"This incident is a strong reminder of the value of vigilance and proactive policing in keeping Mt. Juliet safe," MJPD wrote. "Shoplifting remains the city’s most common crime, and our continued presence in retail areas helps deter theft and ensure quick action when it occurs."

No additional details have been released about this incident, including the identity of the man who was apprehended.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/man-accused-of-stealing-7k-in-merchandise-from-mt-juliet-lowes/