Manager, customer team up to catch theft suspect

LORAIN — Police said a man’s attempt at gaining a five-finger discount was thwarted Sunday when a store manager and customer instead captured and detained him until officers arrived.

Joseph Lane

Joseph Lane, 24, of Lorain, was taken to jail on a theft charge for attempting to steal a $2 package of cigarette rolling tubes from Raceway Gas, 3040 Oberlin Ave.

The police initially were called to the 3700 block of Marshall Avenue about 11:51 a.m. Sunday when someone reported that a group of men was assaulting a man.

When police arrived, they were flagged down by Raceway Gas manager Imran Nazir, 45, who was standing next to a car parked on the street near customer Bryan Wooten, 60, who was sitting on top of Lane on the tree lawn with the stolen cigarette tubes nearby.

Nazir told police Lane had just stolen from the store and that with Wooten’s help the suspected thief had been detained, according to a report.

Nazir told police he saw Lane steal the cigarette rolling tubes and walk out of the store while a cashier was occupied. Lane then ignored Nazir, who yelled for him to stop, instead jumping on a bicycle and heading toward Marshall Avenue, police said.

According to the police report, Lane stopped riding his bicycle when he realized he was being followed.

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