Police Arrest Oak Park Man on Retail Fraud Charges; Confiscate Handgun

A 47-year-old Oak Park man was arrested on third-degree retail fraud charges after attempting to steal a bottle of cologne from the Plymouth Township Kmart on Nov. 23, according to a police report.  

A Loss Prevention employee told police he saw the man select two bottles of cologne, then go to the men's department, where he removed a bottle from its packaging and place it in his left jacket pocket, the report said.

The man then went to the men's restroom, exited, then went to checkout where he attempted to purchase the unopened bottle of cologne. The man told the cashier that the price was too high and that he did not want it and left the store, the report said.

The employee told police he confronted the man outside who followed him back into the store and handed over the stolen bottle. In addition, the man told the employee that he had a gun on him, and that he was licensed to carry concealed. The employee placed the gun, a Glock 21 .45ACP, and two pocket knives into a desk drawer before police arrived, according to the report.

Police took custody of both knives and the gun, which contained a loaded 12-round magazine, with no round in the chamber, the report said.

The cologne was a 75-milliliter bottle of Dolce and Gabbana worth $54.99.