Man arrested at Target after attempted theft

LITTLE ROCK, AR – A man was arrested after an off duty police officer reportedly saw him attempting to conceal stolen items in a Target bathroom stall.

According to reports, around 7:30pm on February 7, an off-duty police officer from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office was in the restroom at the Target Super Center located at 420 North University when he heard a man, later identified as 30-year-old Charles Hicks, in one of the stalls on the phone. The officer reportedly heard Hicks say "I got the drugs and sticks, I'll be there soon,” and could see him trying to cut open a plastic package with pliers through the door.

The officer alerted the customer service desk, went back into the bathroom and told Hicks to come out of the stall. Hicks reportedly tried to hide the package in his jacket and came out of the stall, claiming he hadn’t tried to steal anything and attempted to run past the officer and out of the restroom. Hicks initially resisted arrest, but with help from a Target security guard and a bystander, he was eventually cuffed and transported to the Pulaski County Regional Detention Center where he was charged with Robbery and Resisting Arrest.

Hicks also had an active Misdemeanor warrant and three probation violation felony warrants, along with warrants out of Sherwood and Benton.

The investigation is ongoing.