Madison WI March 20 2018 A security officer at Hilldale Shopping Center feared for her life Friday night after a shoplifter broke her cellphone and reached into his pocket as if he had a gun.

The man fled on foot and the security guard followed him, warning arriving police he had a gun, but no gun was found as he was arrested.

Chaun Boulden, 48, Madison, was tentatively charged with intimidating a witness, disorderly conduct, retail theft and bail jumping, Madison police said.

The 19-year-old female security guard wasn’t hurt.

“She feared she might be shot after the suspect broke her phone while she was calling 911, then reached into his jacket to make it look like he had a weapon,” said police spokesman Joel DeSpain.

The suspect fled on foot toward Rennebohm Park, with the security guard following at a distance.

“Police arrived and the security guard yelled ‘Help me, he’s got a gun, he’s going to shoot me,'” DeSpain said.

The suspect was found hiding in bushes. No gun was found and the suspect was arrested.

“The victim said the suspect is known to mall retailers as someone who has stolen merchandise in the past,” DeSpain said.

Boulden had a black suede jacket with an anti-theft tag still attached at the time of his arrest.