Police Reports: Shoplifter Rams Car in Rite Aid Parking Lot to Escape Capture

Attempted Shoplifting

A man, who appeared to be in his late 20s or early 30s, ran out of the Rite Aid pharmacy on Main Street carrying two hand-baskets full of stolen merchandise at 6:54 Tuesday evening, and tried to toss the baskets into the open window of a waiting vehicle in front of the store, according to the police report.

His aim was off, and a female witness picked up the items, so he couldn't steal them, police said. The driver of the vehicle, another man, got out of the car and said, "What are you trying to do?" pretending not to know the shoplifter, police said.

The suspect got into the car, picked up the driver and attempted to flee, when a customer tried to block their escape with his car. Police said the suspects rammed the other car and maneuvered around it before heading south on Route 25.

Nothing was stolen. But police said the shoplifter attempted to steal numerous packages of teeth whitening strips, two electric toothbrushes, an electric razor, a digital TV converter box and miscellaneous merchandise. Lt. Rose Stuart said it was likely being stolen for resale.

Police are investigating the incident.

Thefts from Motor Vehicles

Police are investigating two separate theft complaints in which items were taken from an unlocked vehicle.

At 9:15 Wednesday morning, Public Works reported a backpack stolen from one of its vehicles when it was parked on Cedar Lane and Jackson Drive. The backpack contained gloves, paperwork and a traffic vest.

Also on Wednesday, an undisclosed amount of cash and checks were reported stolen from a work truck parked on a residential property on Old Coach Road.

Police said it was parked there on Sunday and that the theft was discovered on Tuesday.