Shoplifting suspect found hiding in attic

CHICKASAW, Ala. (WALA) - Chickasaw Police said two men in cahoots tried to steal from the Dollar General on North Craft Highway. The crime took a scary twist when police said one of the suspects broke into a home trying to get away.

It was a busy Thursday evening in Dollar General when police said a man tried to pull a fast one. They say a manager caught someone shoplifting.

Police said the man walked right out of the store with a basket in his hand. When the manager came out to confront him, there was another suspect out here waiting to confront her.

"He blocked her from trying to run after him. He took off and went behind the building," Sgt. Tommy McDuffie said.

Just down the road, police caught up with the suspect who interfered and identified him as Dorian Hall. The other man caused a major scare before he was located.

"I happened to be in the area and I asked the homeowner if he seen anybody over here. He said, 'He's in my house,'" McDuffie said.

Ray Johnson said he recognized the man who came to his home and identified him as Tedric Lamont Mitchell.

"I already told this guy not to come back," added Johnson.

He said Mitchell dated a girl who used to live at this home. This time, Mitchell was not welcome.

"They were sitting on the sofa watching television when the man came into the residence uninvited," McDuffie said. "He sat down and was sweating, breathing hard when he heard police identify himself he got up and ran toward the back."

Johnson came outside to talk to police, and said Mitchell locked the door, trapping his girlfriend inside.

"I was especially fearful when I come back in to check on her hollering and find my door locked by deadbolt," he said.

"The lady was in the house she was scared to death," McDuffie said. "She started talking about religion hoping he wouldn't hurt her and hoping he would turn and leave when police identified themselves. That’s when he got up and ran away."

But the suspect never left.

"I told the officers that the only place he could be in the attic," Johnson said.

"We were able to locate him in the crawl space in the roof," McDuffie added.

Sgt. McDuffie believes Mitchell was under the influence of drugs. Mitchell is now charged with theft, unlawful imprisonment and burglary, all because he was suspected of stealing food.

Police said Mitchell was unarmed. The other suspect, Dorian hall is charged with theft and giving a false name to law enforcement.