Berkeley police officers arrested an Oakland man after he tried three times in a single night to steal beer from Berkeley Bowl, and struggled with loss prevention officers until police arrived, authorities said.
On Monday at about 8 p.m., Berkeley Police officers were called to the grocery store, at 2020 Oregon St., for a report of a shoplifter, who later was identified as Christopher Lichty, 32, of Oakland.
Police spokeswoman Officer Jennifer Coats said Lichty first visited the store at 7:17 p.m., when he entered Berkeley Bowl and attempted to steal beer. Loss prevention officers tried to stop him and he dropped the beer and ran, said Coats via email.
Lichty returned to the store a short time later, and police said he again took beer, then left without paying for it. Coats said he was stopped by loss prevention officers, and struggled with them as they tried to detain him. He broke free and ran away, said Coats.
He returned a third time, again taking beer and walking out of the store without paying for it, police said.
Loss prevention officers at that time were able to detain Lichty until police arrived.
He was arrested on suspicion of robbery, theft, attempted theft, receiving stolen property and resisting arrest. According to the Alameda County sheriff’s department, he is being held in Santa Rita Jail.
Read more crime briefs from the Berkeley Police Department.
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