Posted by privateofficernews on March 2, 2009
Best Buy store evacuated after armed shoplifting www.privateofficer.com
Smyrna GA Mar 2 2009
Brett Davis
Staff Reporter
Private Officer News Network
A Best Buy store in Smyrna was evacuated Thursday evening after an alleged shoplifter claimed to be armed. He wasn’t, but 51-year-old Otis Hutcherson still managed to cause a stir.
Two stores adjoining the Best Buy in the Promenade shopping center also were evacuated and remained empty for nearly 90 minutes while Hutcherson played possum, vanishing as employees and customers fled the premises, police said.
“He had crawled up into the ceiling to hide,” said Michael Smith, spokesman for the Smyrna Police Department.
Some Best Buy employees had spotted him disappearing into the store’s office, so officers knew where to look.
“It would’ve been unsafe for an officer to just pop his head up through one of the panels not knowing whether the suspect had a gun,” Smith said.
Hutcherson, of Atlanta, finally gave up shortly before 7:30 p.m. He was taken into custody and charged with shoplifting some DVDs. Smith said the suspect could face additional charges.
Two stores adjoining the Best Buy in the Promenade shopping center also were evacuated and remained empty for nearly 90 minutes while Hutcherson played possum, vanishing as employees and customers fled the premises, police said.
“He had crawled up into the ceiling to hide,” said Michael Smith, spokesman for the Smyrna Police Department.
Some Best Buy employees had spotted him disappearing into the store’s office, so officers knew where to look.
“It would’ve been unsafe for an officer to just pop his head up through one of the panels not knowing whether the suspect had a gun,” Smith said.
Hutcherson, of Atlanta, finally gave up shortly before 7:30 p.m. He was taken into custody and charged with shoplifting some DVDs. Smith said the suspect could face additional charges.
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