Parole Absconder Arrested for Retail Fraud in Bloomfield Township

Officers with the Bloomfield Township Police Department arrested a Detroit man suspected in a string of thefts from the Rite Aid drug store this week.

James Clark, 45, faces counts of felony retail fraud and remains at the Oakland County Jail Thursday on $50,000 bond, records show. 

An officer on routine patrol was near the Rite Aid at Woodward Avenue and Square Lake Road at about 11:30 p.m. Monday and noticed a man quickly walk away as the officer approached the store, reports said. Store employees reported multiple retail frauds believed to be conducted by the same individual in previous days, and the officer attempted to speak to the man.

As the officer got out of his vehicle, the man ran off and led the police on a brief foot chase, reports said. The officer caught up with him and found him in possession of several personal hygiene products later determined to be stolen from the Rite Aid. Authorities also determined he was responsible for thefts on Nov. 16 and 17 that included multiple boxes of condoms with a total value of about approximately $600, reports said. 

Clark was also wanted on multiple warrants from other police departments and is listed as a parole absconder from the Michigan Department of Corrections. His criminal history includes convictions for robbery and assault.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for next week in 48th District Court.