Clean up on aisle two: Man shoplifts and urinates on floor
The Maricopa Police Department took Joseph D. Chee, a 24-year-old man, into custody following an incident at Sprouts Marketplace
The Maricopa Police Department took Joseph D. Chee, a 24-year-old man, into custody following an incident at Sprouts Marketplace. The arrest stemmed from allegations of indecent behavior, including urinating in an aisle and shoplifting, as per information obtained from law enforcement records.
Officers responded to a call from Sprouts around 7:30 a.m. reporting Chee’s erratic conduct, suspected shoplifting, and public exposure. Store personnel informed the police that Chee was seen wandering the store with a rotisserie chicken and had concealed merchandise within his clothing. Additionally, an employee reported an incident where Chee had allegedly urinated in one of the shopping aisles.
Upon locating Chee within the store, officers observed him walking with his genitals exposed, with his attire visibly soiled by urine. Law enforcement officers noted a strong odor of alcohol along with the scent of both beer and chicken emanating from Chee’s breath.
Further investigation revealed a can of stolen beer concealed in Chee’s pockets. Additionally, an open rotisserie chicken was found elsewhere in the store with a portion missing. The investigation indicated Chee lacked sufficient funds to purchase these items, as he only possessed $5 at the time.
During interrogation, Chee admitted to shoplifting the chicken and beer and confessed to the act of urinating within the store premises.
Subsequently, Chee faced legal charges, including a felony charge for indecent exposure and two misdemeanor counts for shoplifting and creating a public nuisance. If convicted, he could potentially face a prison sentence exceeding eight and a half years. Chee was taken into custody and booked into the Pinal County jail pending further legal proceedings.
