A Lebanon man is facing multiple charges after police say he fled officers following an alleged shoplifting incident at a Mt. Juliet grocery store.
The Mt. Juliet Police Department said officers were called to a Kroger earlier in the evening regarding a suspicious man inside the store. During the investigation, officers noticed a separate suspicious individual leaving the store carrying empty shopping bags.
Police said an officer observed the man walk behind a truck and begin removing merchandise from his pockets and placing the items into bags.
When officers attempted to make contact, authorities said the suspect fled on foot, leading to a brief pursuit. Police said the man resisted arrest before officers safely took him into custody.
Investigators said a search of the suspect’s vehicle uncovered additional stolen merchandise from Kroger, along with a large amount of clothing with tags still attached from multiple retailers, including Dick’s Sporting Goods, Academy Sports + Outdoors and Tractor Supply Company.
The 44-year-old Lebanon man was charged with theft, evading arrest and resisting arrest. Police said the broader investigation into the recovered merchandise remains ongoing.
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