A Toledo man who allegedly tried to shoplift from Chehalis Outfitters just after 4:25 p.m. on Sunday and subsequently got into a physical altercation with a store employee has been charged with third-degree assault and third-degree theft in Lewis County Superior Court.
Store employees reported the man, identified as Joseph Phelan, 27, had allegedly tried to walk out of the business “with items from the store under his sweatshirt,” according to court documents.
The employees reportedly followed Phelan outside and asked him what was under his sweatshirt, to which he replied “nothing.”
A security guard then “told Mr. Phelan he needed to give the items back,” and Phelan allegedly “advised he was sorry and would give the items back, but he did not want to get in trouble,” according to court documents.
The security guard reportedly “advised (Phelan) that is not how it works and that he was going to detain him until the police arrived,” at which point Phelan allegedly returned the stolen items “but then tried to get away by shoulder checking (the security officer),” according to court documents.
With help from a customer, the security officer “took Mr. Phelan down and held him until the police arrived.”
Phelan was initially booked into the Lewis County Jail just after 4:50 p.m. on Sunday, June 17, for second-degree robbery, but he was ultimately charged Tuesday with one count each of third-degree assault and third-degree theft.
Third-degree assault is a class C felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Third-degree theft is a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to 364 days in prison.
Bail was set at $15,000 on Tuesday. Arraignment is scheduled for Thursday, June 29.
