Three charged following theft from store in Chatham

Three Windsor residents were arrested in Chatham on Thursday after police responded to a shoplifting complaint at a Real Canadian Superstore.

The incident took place during the afternoon at the Superstore at 791 St. Clair St. N. According to police, a man was seen taking a digital camera from a shelf and concealing it in his coat. He left the store and made no attempt to pay for the item. Store security and loss prevention confronted the man outside the building. The suspect turned over the stolen camera, then fled to a waiting vehicle. Chatham-Kent police quickly located and stopped the vehicle. The suspect was in the back seat. According to police, the man at first falsely identified himself. Investigators determined his true identity — a 39-year-old Windsor resident — and charged him with theft (value under $5,000) and obstructing a peace officer. Meanwhile, during the traffic stop, a man jumped out of the vehicle and ran off. Police found the man hiding on a nearby property. Like his accomplice, he first gave officers a false identity. Investigation determined the man’s true identity — a 30-yearold Windsor man who was already bound by court conditions to remain in his residence except for work, for medical emergencies or in the company of his surety. He was charged with failing to comply with conditions and obstructing a peace officer. Chatham-Kent police learned the third person in the vehicle was a 40-year-old Windsor woman. Officers found items believed to be stolen property worth about $500 in the vehicle.

All three occupants of the vehicle were charged with possession of property obtained by crime.