Police say shoplifter Maced store security guard at Walmart in Pittsfield Township
A 22-year-old Ann Arbor man was arrested today after police say he stole items from Walmart in Pittsfield Township and sprayed a store security guard in the face with Mace.
The incident occurred at about 4:23 p.m. at Walmart in the 7000 block of Michigan Avenue.
Lt. Brandon Williams said the man stole two calculators valued at more than $200 and was confronted by a store loss prevention officer. The suspected shoplifter sprayed the employee directly in the face with Mace, causing minor burns and irritation, Williams said.
The suspect fled into nearby woods, where Officer Robert Cole tracked him down. He was arrested and transported to the Washtenaw County Jail.
Police are seeking charges of armed robbery and retail fraud against the man.
The store employee was treated on the scene for his injuries, Williams said.
Comments
Basic Bob
Sat, Mar 20, 2010 : 5:08 p.m.
Fortunately for the people of Saline, the Saline Walmart is in Pittsfield Township. So the traffic, crime, and all the undesirable people are not in Saline after all. Unless you are in the part of Pittsfield that thinks it is Saline.
Johnny
Sat, Mar 20, 2010 : 2:11 p.m.
@bigsexy76- NO Town is Safe. If you believe that, you have a false sense of security. DO not think Saline is some cute little homestead town that is "Safe", because it is not. Just like EVERY city, it has its bruises, it has its crime of all sorts and it has its problems. And Not a single one is because of a Wal-Mart.
BigSexy76
Sat, Mar 20, 2010 : 11:01 a.m.
I really hope some of you are not that ignorant to believe that crime has increased since Wally World opened up. Shoplifting has always been a problem in our safe community. The so called unsavory elements have been among us for years on top of years.I would encourage anyoe to do their homework before they post their "expert opinions" in the future
Warhawk
Fri, Mar 19, 2010 : 7:10 p.m.
It is fair to say that the increase in density and traffic was bound to also increase crime - whether it was Walmart or any other similarly sized retailer. For those who haven't noticed retail crime has gone through the roof recently, and just about everywhere. The daily police blotters are pages long with retail fraud reports. This guy just happened to be dumb enough to compound his problems by assaulting the security guard.
Trouble
Fri, Mar 19, 2010 : 4:31 p.m.
I agree with Jrigglem. Walmart is bringing " people " to Saline. And people do bad things. So let's stop people from coming to Saline. And live happily ever after.
sheeple
Fri, Mar 19, 2010 : 12:56 p.m.
Armed robbery and retail fraud, even though he also attacked the store detective with a dangerous substance? How about felonious assault?
jrigglem
Fri, Mar 19, 2010 : 11:24 a.m.
I was merely being sarcastic..I don't believe that Walmart causes shoplifting or anything along those lines, I just remembered when the story was published that it was being built, etc. and all the negative comments about low income individuals and crime and what not
AndMarie
Fri, Mar 19, 2010 : 10:57 a.m.
Walmart did not make anyone shopplift, the economy did. And there was shoplifting in saline before walmart.
Ricebrnr
Fri, Mar 19, 2010 : 9:48 a.m.
jeez, blame the victim. Would you be saying the same thing if a victim was robbed on the streets of Saline? "Yah that victim shouldn't have been there because...." I'm sure Walmart ONLY attracts criminals or "low class" people. I bet all those people that have jobs now, possibly close to home hate it.
ffej440
Fri, Mar 19, 2010 : 8:53 a.m.
Walmart may not have invented shoplifting but it has become more of a problem in Saline since they opened. We never had a need for floor security at the local grocer before.First comes violent shoplifters, next will be purse snatchers and on and on. Thank you for shopping Walmart!
Dave66
Fri, Mar 19, 2010 : 8:39 a.m.
Right... Because Walmart invented shoplifting, right? There were no shoplifters in Saline before? Ever?
SMAIVE
Fri, Mar 19, 2010 : 6:04 a.m.
jrigglem Agree, I was thinking somthing like: "Told ya so, told ya so, nah,nah,nah,nah, told ya so!
ronn oneal
Fri, Mar 19, 2010 : 2:34 a.m.
Any store or neighborhood are going to have crime rather it's wal-mart,or McDonald's.. No jobs, No way of getting job's and some are try to feed addictions others trying to feed kid's and/or self.... Store's don't commit crime's customer's do and only (.5)get caught. the senior citizen's get away or are given breaks by security after listening to their sad story.
Homergrible
Fri, Mar 19, 2010 : 1:57 a.m.
With all the trailer trash in saline I am surprised it does not happen more often.
jrigglem
Thu, Mar 18, 2010 : 10:39 p.m.
I'll just save all the negative people the trouble of commenting "This is exactly what we knew Walmart would bring to Saline!!" or some variation there of..