VALPARAISO | A Valparaiso man was arrested Wednesday on charges of theft and resisting law enforcement after police said he fled from Wal-mart without paying for merchandise.
Desean McCarty, 32, was taken into custody on Penna Hill Drive, a block west of the store.
Valparaiso police were called about 5:10 p.m. by a Wal-mart loss prevention employee, who told police a man was going through the store and placing items in his backpack.
An officer saw McCarty, who matched the description given by the Wal-mart employee, on Penna Hill Drive.
Police said McCarty tried to run from the officer through a line of thicket and brush, but couldn’t get through. Instead, he turned and faced the officer, but refused to obey commands to put his hands above his head.
Police said McCarty kept putting his hands in his pocket. At one point, the officer drew his gun when McCarty would not comply with the officer's demands.
When McCarty tried running away, the officer fired his Taser, but it had no effect on McCarty.
The officer caught up with McCarty and tackled him. Other officers then arrived and had to forcibly put McCarty’s hands behind his back to handcuff him.
Police said McCarty apparently dumped most of the property at the store when he was approached by employees, but officers found a stolen cellphone in his jacket pocket.
The total value of items McCarty attempted to take was just over $224, according to police.
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