A group of four juveniles was arrested Wednesday night after police said a shoplifting incident at a Walmart escalated into a brief pursuit across nearby retail plazas.
The call came in shortly before 8 p.m. from the Walmart on Doral Drive in Poland, near Boardman, where store security reported seeing several young teens conceal items and leave without paying. Employees told officers the juveniles refused to cooperate when approached and sprinted from the building.
Police said a 13-year-old boy continued running even after officers ordered him to stop. He was eventually caught and found with a vape pen, according to the incident report. The youth faces charges of theft, obstructing official business and underage possession of tobacco. Officers noted they did not use handcuffs due to his age.
Three additional juveniles, described as being between 12 and 14 years old, were located nearby and arrested on theft allegations. No injuries were reported.
Authorities said all four teens received criminal trespass notices prohibiting them from returning to the store for two years.
