Amherst man arrested in alleged theft

An Amherst man was arrested June 12 after allegedly stealing from a home improvement store in Elyria.

An Amherst man was arrested June 12 after allegedly stealing from a home improvement store in Elyria, according to an Elyria police report.

Elyria police responded to a call from Lowe’s employees, who had a male suspect behind the store detained for shoplifting, the report said.

About 2:30 p.m., Bryce A. Babics entered Lowe’s, 646 Midway Blvd., and grabbed one Dewalt 20 volt with battery drill and one Dewalt 4 tool combo kit, the report said.

The store manager told police Babics then walked past the cash registers without attempting to pay for merchandise and exited Lowe’s through the southeast door, according to the report.

Babics ran from the store into the rear lot of Sommer Mobile Home main office and was pursued by two Sommer Mobile Home employees, the report said.

The two employees advised police they saw the suspect run out of Lowe’s with stolen merchandise and into the rear parking lot of 1800 Lorain Blvd., according to the report.

One of the employees said the other employee pursued Babics on foot and he chased after him in a tow motor, the report said.

The employees were able to catch up to Babics behind Lowe’s and restrain him with zip ties until police arrived, according to the report.

Babics broke free of the zip ties and then was held face down on the ground by one of the employees when police arrived on scene, the report said.

Police were told Sommer Mobile Home owns the property Lowe’s is located on, according to the report.

Lowe’s store manager said both stolen items were recovered and the total value of the merchandise was $578, the report said.

Babics