Police arrested two people accused of shoplifting at Sweet Home Thriftway in separate incidents last week after store employees confronted and followed them.
Using a Linn County Sheriff’s Office search dog, Sweet Home police arrested Matthew Allen Pitts, 29, for second-degree robbery after a pursuit into the woods behind the Veterans Club, 580 Main St., on June 13.
A caller reported that a male had taken two sausage sticks worth about $10 from Thriftway, 621 Main St., at 2:46 p.m., said Community Services Officer Gina Riley. A staff member confronted the male, and he returned the sausage sticks. When the staff member said he had to stay until police arrived, the suspect refused and allegedly pulled a knife.
The staff member told him it would be a bad idea, Riley said, and the suspect flipped the knife into the air, pocketed the knife and walked across the street. Thriftway staff followed him, and he disappeared into the park area behind the Vets Club.
A Linn County dog tracked the suspect and bit him. Sweet Home medics tended to the man’s injury prior to his arrest for the robbery and multiple warrants.
Pitts was transported to Linn County Jail. He remained lodged there as of Monday.
Police arrested Amanda Marie McDowell, 23, for third-degree theft in connection to a shoplifting report from Thriftway at 11:02 a.m. on Friday. The caller reported approximately $20 worth of miscellaneous grocery items were stolen.
The caller reported a male and female suspect, said Police Chief Jeff Lynn. The male fled in a maroon Mazda RX-8. The female fled on foot west on Highway 228 throwing away items.
Employees pursued the female, Lynn said. The vehicle that had fled the scene returned to the area and attempted to pick up the female, but the employees prevented her from entering the vehicle, which left the scene.
Police arrived and arrested Amanda Marie McDowell, 23, for third-degree theft near the intersection of 3rd Avenue and Highway 228. She was cited and released.