Police Chase Inside Lowe's Over Tool Theft Leads To Drug Charge

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A St. Pete police officer and customer chased a suspect through the inside of a Lowe's store after he was called out by employees for placing unpaid tools in his pocket Sunday.

A Patch reporter in the store heard someone yell, "Stop," at about 2:39 p.m., and seconds later, the suspect was seen running from the middle of the store as a customer and officer chased him toward an exit. The suspect was well ahead, and a customer intentionally tripped him so the officer could stop him, Yolanda Fernandez, a St. Pete police information officer, said.

A male employee said the suspect pushed his arms back as he tried to prevent him from leaving.

Gueiby Espinosa-Pequero, 34, faces possession of methamphetamine, resisting without violence and petit theft. After he was placed in the back of the patrol car at 2365 25th Street N, a reporter saw him coughing many times.

He was checked over by medical personnel and no injuries were reported, according to authorities.