AUGUSTA — When Augusta police responded to a report of a combative shoplifter at Kohl’s at 9:37 a.m. Saturday, they found the suspect had been tackled halfway across the parking lot following a foot chase by an off-duty officer from another department.

Augusta Police Lt. Kevin Lully said the suspect, later identified as Scott Stuart Shepherd, 48, of Augusta, tried to leave the store with a cart full of unpaid merchandise when he was stopped by a store loss-prevention employee.

Lully said Shepherd thrust the cart full of merchandise into the employee and sprayed him with Mace before fleeing on foot.

An off-duty officer from another department identified himself and helped to chase and hold Shepherd until Augusta officers arrived.

Shepherd was charged with theft by unauthorized taking or transfer, assault, violating condition of release and refusing to submit to arrest or detention.

Lully said other theft charges are pending against Shepherd involving separate incidents.

He said Kohl’s has one of the best surveillance systems — including equipment and personnel — to detect and prevent shoplifting.

“They prosecute everybody,” he added.

Two arrested after disturbance

Two people were arrested after shouts and screams from their Augusta apartment forced neighbors to call police Saturday at 2:21 a.m.

Randall Lee Brackett Jr., 26, was arrested on charges of domestic violence assault and violating conditions of release. Sara R. Flannery, 25, was arrested on a warrant charging failure to pay fines.

Augusta Police Lt. Kevin Lully said police heard the screaming and saw the couple struggling, with the man on top of the woman, when they arrived at their Water Street apartment.

AUGUSTA

FRIDAY

At 5:05 p.m., a caller from Kmart, Western Avenue, reported a theft.

6 p.m., a Cony Road caller reported criminal mischief.

10:21 p.m., a Patterson Street caller reported burglary from a motor vehicle.

11:21 p.m., a North Street caller reported a disturbance.

SATURDAY

At 9:03 a.m., a caller from Johnson Street reported burglary from a motor vehicle.

10:18 p.m., a Fairfield Street caller reported burglary from a motor vehicle.

11:25 a.m., a caller from the Maine State Housing parking lot, Water Street, reported burglary from a motor vehicle.

Arrests

WINTHROP

FRIDAY

Jackie M. Cheche, 51, of Lewiston, was arrested on U.S. Route 202 at 7:13 p.m. on a charge of operating under the influence.

SATURDAY

Jarrod Z. Bilodeau, 27, of Winthrop, was arrested at 9:22 a.m. on charges of burglary and theft.

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