Employee Assaulted Confronting Suspected Thief at Stone Road Mall

A theft at Stone Road Mall turned violent Thursday evening when an employee was assaulted while trying to stop a suspect. Police later recovered the stolen items and arrested the man nearby.

A Guelph man was arrested after an employee of a south-end business was assaulted and threatened while attempting to stop a thief Thursday.

Approximately 6:20 p.m. an employee of a business at Stone Road Mall observed a man placing several items into a large bag and notified her colleagues. When the man left the store without attempting to pay the employee followed him and asked him to return the items.

The man responded by threatening the employee and then pushing her aside to leave the mall. He was followed by a second employee who was on the phone with police. Officers located him a short distance away and found him to be in possession of 19 stolen items which were recovered and returned.

A 24-year-old Guelph man is charged with theft under $5,000, assault and uttering threats. He will appear in court January 30.