Home Depot shoplifter arrested after biting store security
WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. July 12 2017- Police in Lehigh County allege an Allentown man bit a store security officer after he was caught trying to steal 15 gallons of driveway sealer.
About J. Azar, of North Second Street, faces single misdemeanor counts of retail theft and simple assault along with a summary count of harassment following the incident Saturday afternoon at Home Depot.
Store security said Azar walked into the Home Depot at 1350 MacArthur Road shortly before 2 p.m. with an empty cart. They watched as the 53-year-old then allegedly walked out the contractor’s entrance with three 5-gallon buckets of driveway sealer worth $237 in the cart, according to court records.
When loss prevention attempted to stop him, Azar tried to run, police said. During apprehension, Azar allegedly bit the security guard’s right arm, breaking the skin, according to records.
He was eventually escorted back into the store until Whitehall Township police arrived.
District Judge Rod Beck arraigned Azar Saturday night, setting bail at $30,000. He failed to post and was sent to Lehigh County Jail to await a preliminary hearing scheduled for July 17.
