Would-be shoplifter forced to flee on foot after his car was repossessed as he inside store

A man was from Zion, Illinois, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with retail theft after his would-be getaway car was repossessed while he was allegedly trying to steal electronics in a Wal-Mart store, according to Round Lake Beach police.

Che Hearn, 25, faces one count of misdemeanor retail theft involving merchandise valued at less than $300, according to Lake County Circuit Court records. According to Michael Scott, deputy chief of Round Lake Beach police, officers responded at about 3pm to a report of a retail theft at the Wal-Mart.



Upon arrival, Scott said, officers were informed that a man was observed loading electronics into a shopping basket and leaving the store. After employees confronted the suspect, he dropped the items and fled on foot, police said. Hearn was later located walking by the side of the road, according to police. When asked why he was walking, he responded that his car had been repossessed while he was at the Wal-Mart, police said.

Investigators determined that the repossession company had followed Hearn to Wal-Mart, police said. The car was towed away when he entered the store, giving Hearn the only option of fleeing the scene on foot, police said. Scott said Hearn, who was called an "Unlucky thief" in a police press release, was released from custody on a recognizance bond after being charged with retail theft. He is scheduled for arraignment on Sept. 1.