Police Arrest Shoplifting Suspects Who Were Shot At By Home Depot Customer
AUBURN HILLS (WWJ) - Authorities say two men suspected of shoplifting from a local Home Depot store during an incident that gained nationwide attention have been taken into custody.
Police announced Friday that the two suspects -- a 52-year-old white male and a 46-year-old black male, both from Flint -- were arrested days after the October 6 incident at the Home Depot on Joslyn Road in Auburn Hills. Additionally, investigators found the get-away vehicle, a black Kia SUV, at the younger man's residence.
Police say the stolen items were valued at over $1,000, making the offense a first degree retail fraud -- a felony charge punishable by up to five years in prison. It's not clear when the men will face arraignment.
The incident grabbed headlines across the nation not because of the theft, but because of a customer's reaction to the crime.
According to police, a concerned customer was watching as the older suspect exited the store with a cart full of merchandise. The suspect was being followed by a store employee, who was trying to stop the man because the items were not paid for. The suspect got into the get-away vehicle, driven by the younger suspect, and began to flee when that concerned customer, a 46-year-old woman with a concealed pistol license, took action.
The woman took out her gun and fired several shots at the fleeing SUV, police said, flattening a tire on the vehicle. By the time police had arrived on the scene, the suspects were nowhere to be found.
Authorities have not yet commented on the legality of the woman's actions, but reports say she will not face charges. CPL license holders are trained not to intervene in situations where bystanders could be harmed.
The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact police at 248-370-9444.