Kingston man arrested on warrant after thefts from downtown businesses and escaping custody

Kingston Police have arrested a man who fled from a security officer after stealing merchandise from a downtown store in late March.

On Thursday, Mar. 28, 2019, a security officer in a downtown store observed the accused man selecting various items of merchandise and then proceeding to conceal the items in a bag he was carrying. The accused man then left the store without making any attempts to pay for the merchandise he was carrying.

The store security officer followed the accused man out of the store and placed him under arrest for the theft. However, as the security officer was attempting to retrieve the stolen merchandise the accused fled on foot. The accused was identified and stolen merchandise from another downtown store was recovered from his bag, according to Kingston Police.

Police responded to the theft call and attempted to locate the accused, but were unable to. Subsequently, a warrant was issued for the arrest of the accused man.

On Tuesday, Apr. 9, 2019 at approximately 4:37 p.m., police saw the accused man riding a bicycle westbound on Concession Street. The accused man was stopped and arrested on the outstanding warrant.

The 26-year-old local man was charged with escaping custody, two counts of theft under $5,000, and breach of recognizance.