Shoplifter, 73, Found Hiding in Large Culvert in Cumming

Police found an elderly man accused of shoplifting hiding in a large, black culvert about 1 p.m. Tuesday.

Officers were called to Publix at 580 Atlanta Road in Cumming, where the manager said the man, age 60 to 70, was last seen running into the woods.

"I was first unable to see the mans hands, due to him hiding around a bend in the culvert, I drew my weapon and gave loud verbal commands," an officer wrote in the Cumming Police Department report. "The male subject refused to comply. I then entered the culvert and again gave loud verbal commands and after I was able to confirm that there was no threat, I secured my weapon and handcuffed the suspect."

He was later identified as Allan E. Jones, 73, of Chimney Point Drive in Cumming.

The manager said Jones had taken several items, placing them in his jacket, and walked out of the store without paying, according to the report. The items, which were found in his pockets, according to police, included three bottles of vitamins, valued collectively at about $48, and a floss starter pack and floss refills, valued together at about $7.

Jones was cited for shoplifting, issued a subpoena to appear in court and told not return to Publix.

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