A Brooklyn man accused of stealing nearly $2,200 in merchandise from a Paramus Marshalls store was arrested Friday after fleeing across Route 17 and into a brook, police said.
Police received a report of shoplifting around 11:30 a.m. at the store at 545 Route 17 South. Employees reported that Maki J. Davis, 22, had filled three large rolling suitcases with clothing.
According to Paramus police, an officer watched Davis wheel the suitcases past the registers without paying. When other officers approached, Davis abandoned the luggage and fled through the parking lot, attempting to hide between parked vehicles.
Police said Davis ran toward a Dodge Charger parked nearby, but the vehicle left without him. He continued fleeing on foot, crossing Route 17 and running behind a Tesla dealership before heading down an embankment into Sprout Brook.
Police pursued Davis into the brook and arrested him, officials said.
The three suitcases and 56 articles of clothing had a combined value of $2,197.42, according to police.
Davis was charged with shoplifting/organized retail theft, receiving stolen property, resisting arrest by flight and criminal trespass, a petty disorderly persons offense.