Tyler L. Smith, 21, of 10235 State Route 638, Belle Center, was charged with theft Wednesday after he walked out of Shoe Sensation, 1730 S. Main St., around 2:25 p.m. wearing a pair of shoes he did not buy.
An employee reported he came in wearing a pair of red rubber sandals, paid for one pair of shoes and walked out wearing the stolen merchandise. His sandals were found in a shoe box for the stolen pair.
He reportedly drove off in his grandfather’s van and the employee was able to provide an accurate description and license plate number. Officers of the Bellefontaine Police Department used the information to contact the grandfather, who in turn called Smith to instruct him to return to the store.
The suspect returned and offered to pay for the shoes. The store employee declined the offer, asking police to file a charge.
Smith was issued a summons and instructed to meet with his Adult Parole Authority officer Thursday.
Resident reports theft of business checks
Officers are looking into city resident Breck Barton’s complaint that a subcontractor stole multiple checks from his business checkbook and wrote fraudulent transactions in June.
Barton completed a written complaint to initiate the investigation.