A suspected serial shoplifter accused of stealing more than $16,000 worth of merchandise from a Wheaton Mall store was arrested Wednesday after a foot chase.
On Wednesday, June 24, Montgomery County police officers from the 4th District arrested 27-year-old Carlos Alejandro Ayala for a theft at a store in Wheaton Mall.
According to a press report, Ayala was seen entering the store and grabbing a large amount of merchandise before running out, police say. Officers on foot patrol in the mall discovered Ayala fleeing the store with a backpack full of stolen goods.
Police chased Ayala on foot to the 11200 block of Grandview Avenue, where he was ultimately taken into custody.
During the chase, Ayala abandoned the backpack full of stolen goods. The backpack was found by police and the stolen goods were returned to the store, officials say.
It was later revealed that since February, Ayala has stolen more than $16,000 worth of goods from the store before this arrest. Officials discovered Ayala had two outstanding felony warrants for theft under $25,000.
Ayala was brought to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit where he was charged with theft: $100 to under $1,500, obstructing and hindering, and related charges. He is being held without bond.
