Parolee Pleads Guilty to Stealing Condoms in Bloomfield Township

A recent parolee caught stealing from a Bloomfield Township store is likely headed back to prison for a significant amount of time.

James Clark, recently pleaded guilty as charged to counts of  first degree retail fraud, court records show. He was arrested last month by Bloomfield Township Police Officers that were on patrol near the Rid Aid on the township's north side after store staff reported a shoplifting problem earlier in the week. Clark is charged in only one incident.

Clark, 45, waived his right to a preliminary hearing in 48th District Court and entered the guilty plea during his first appearance for a pre-trial hearing before Oakland County Circuit Judge Rae Lee Chabot, court records show.  He remains at the Oakland County Jail on $50,000 bond pending sentencing early next year.

Monday and Police reports said Clark matched the description of a previous retail fraud suspect and ran off when an officer saw him outside of the store and tried to question him. 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 listed as a parole absconder from the Michigan Department of Corrections at the time of his arrest. He was also wanted on multiple warrants from other police departments. His criminal history includes convictions for robbery and assault and this is his fifth felony conviction, records show.