Man Accused of Hitting Security Guard at Macy's

A man from Chardon is accused of stealing from the in Great Lakes Mall and fighting with a security guard when he tried to stop him.

The guard saw Michael Gray, 19, and Brandon Kudley, 20, taking necklaces from the department store Wednesday evening, Mentor Police Lt. Tom Powers said. Gray also snatched three tester bottles of cologne, Powers said.

When the guard confronted them, Kudley didn't argue. But Gray ran from the store and across the street to the .

The guard followed him and tried to get him to stop running. Instead, Gray elbowed the guard in the chest and knocked him down, Powers said. Then he ran away again.

The police were called and officers found Gray by the railroad tracks behind the store. He tried to run a third time but officers caught up and arrested him by St. Clair Avenue, Powers said.

After they arrested him, police found out Gray had three active warrants for his arrest: one for burglary from the Lake County Sheriff's Office, one for failing to appear in court on drug charges from Mentor Police, and one for failing to appear in court on criminal damaging charges from Madison Township Police.

Gray was charged with robbery, theft and obstructing official business.

Kudley, who is from Willowick, faces a misdemeanor charge of theft.