Michael Guptin, 25, of Ceres, tried to get away with goods he allegedly stole from the Dollar General in the Richland Shopping Center on Friday morning but was quickly stopped by police.

At 8:59 a.m. a store employee called police to report that he confronted a black male who was caught stuffing items in his clothing. When he was confronted Guptin handed back about half of the items and took off running with the remaining merchandise for which he didn't pay. Officers were in the area and quickly found and detained him.

Guptin was charged with shoplifting, possession of drug paraphernalia, being under the influence of a controlled substance and violation of the terms of probation. He also smiled for police cameras as he was loaded up into the back of the patrol car.