A 23-year-old Ceres man was arrested for shoplifting with prior convictions on Wednesday, Oct. 14, and told officers he did it to support his heroin drug addiction.

At 9 a.m. the Dollar General store at 940 Whitmore Avenue called police to report a man had stolen items and fled on foot. Police located Cody Bates, 23, of Ceres, walking away from the store and confronted him. Stolen property was found on Bates and he admitted to stealing to support his heroin habit. A search of the backpack revealed several hydrocodone pills.

Bates was arrested and charged with theft with priors, possession of controlled substance and probation violation.