Off-Duty Officer Catches Shoplifter In Wilmington
WILMINGTON, Del. (CBS) – An off-duty Wilmington police sergeant doing some weekend shopping ended up catching a shoplifter.
Shortly after 11 a.m. on Saturday, Wilmington Police Master Sgt. Michael Rodriguez, a 22-year-veteran of the force, was in the AutoZone on Lancaster Avenue in Wilmington to purchase a part.
The off-duty officer, who was unarmed and in plain clothes, heard the store alarm sound, then caught site of a man fleeing the store on foot.
Sgt. Rodriguez, along with the store manager, pursued the suspect westbound through the parking lot before catching up with the man as he was attempting to get into his car.
A struggle ensued, but Rodriguez was able to subdue the suspect, 28-year-old David A. Ciabattoni of New Castle, until the responding units arrived.
Ciabattoni was arrested and now faces charges of Shoplifting, Resisting Arrest, Assault 2nd on a police officer and conspiracy.
