Howell Man Suspected of Stealing Multiple Items While Wife Grocery Shops

A Howell man is suspected of stealing multiple items, including a grill, while his wife did the family’s grocery shopping, according to a report from the Livingston County Sheriff’s Department.

Police say on June 9, they were informed of a retail fraud incident taking place at the Howell Walmart and eventually stopped the identified car after seeing the vehicle turning onto Grand River Ave.

According to the report, the wife was driving and told police she wasn’t aware of what was happening but said her husband had told her he had “made a big mistake and was in trouble.”

After walking into the store, police say the man had separated from his wife and two children, who had gone to shop for groceries, while he went to a different part of the store.

The man told police his wife had paid for the groceries, but he had stolen the grill because he was unemployed, and said it was the only stolen item in the back of the car.

While searching the vehicle however, police say they found more items that the man said were also stolen, including a knife set, charcoal, lighter fluid, swimsuits and a life jacket, valued at $260.94.

The man was transported to the Livingston County Jail without incident.