Man caught stealing tools stymied by shoppers

Shoppers helped police arrest a shoplifter this weekend according to a witness.

A man was seen running from The Home Depot around 6:35 Saturday evening after stealing some tools from the store. 

The witness says an employee tried to stop him.

"The poor employee deserves a medal for his actions as the punk hit him several times with the goods though the takedown was impressive. The employee wasn't going to let him get away and put up a good fight! The thief left his truck running in the parking lot as customers surrounded him so he couldn't drive away, so he jumped out and fled on foot."

Police arrived and found him by the Tim Hortons at Drury and Seymour Streets.

He provided a false name on arrest say police. 

After being searched he was charged with:

• One count of theft under $5,000 (shoplifting);
• One count of obstructing a peace officer;
• Two counts of possession of schedule I substance;
• Three counts of fail to comply with Officer in Charge undertaking.

A small amount of suspected Oxycocet pills and suspected crack cocaine was seized by police.

The stolen tools were recovered and returned to the store owners.

He was held in custody for a bail hearing.