MANKATO – Mankato police joined the chase Sunday afternoon after Wal-Mart security say a man pushed his shopping cart loaded with unpaid merchandise past checkout and out to the parking lot.
46-year-old Lorren Arthur Hagen of Albert Lea abandoned his cart outside the store and fled on foot across Madison Avenue.
Police spotted Hagen near Red Lobster and eventually snagged him hiding behind a pine tree near the Fairfield Inn.
Store security say they witnessed Hagen allegedly bagging up items in men’s wear and put a home theater system in the cart before trying to leave the store.
The stolen items were valued at $596 dollars.
He faces charges of theft, obstruction, and fleeing police on foot.