Cottage Grove police brief: Suspect tries fleeing after shoe shoplifting call

A Cottage Grove man was arrested after trying to run from the scene of a shoe theft.

Loss-prevention staff at Kohl’s, 7990 Hardwood Ave., called police about 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16 to report a shoplifting incident involving male suspects.

A 15-year-old St. Paul male was held at the store and cited for theft for trying to steal shoes by switching out the ones he was wearing with a new pair, according to the police report.

Another suspect ran from the store when they were caught. A police officer found the suspect, later identified as 18-year-old Richardo M. Velazquez of Cottage Grove, on the west side of the Highway 61/80th Street intersection. After a short foot pursuit, Velazquez was apprehended and transported to Washington County jail on suspicion of theft and fleeing an officer.

–Scott Wente

Tags: crime and courts, updates, crime