Two Pontiac men accused of retail fraud were captured by Oakland County Sheriff’s deputies Wednesday after fleeing the Oxford Meijer store on foot.
Gabriell Alejandro Diaz, 22, and Jorge Luis Vega-Baez, 23, were arrested for allegedly stealing $356 worth of merchandise including a Philips Digital Home Entertainment System and Reebok jersey and shorts.
According to the police report, the men were approached by Meijer detectives as they were attempting to leave the store with the allegedly stolen merchandise in a shopping cart.
After detectives requested Diaz and Vega-Baez produce a sales receipt for the items, the men fled.
Vega-Baez reportedly fled to and through the portion of the Boulder Pointe Golf Course located on the east side of M-24 before disappearing into the woods.
He was apprehended near the Oxford McDonalds restaurant on M-24.
While taking Vega-Baez into custody at the McDonalds parking lot, deputies observed Diaz walking southbound on the west side of M-24.
Diaz was then taken into custody without incident.
During his interview with investigators, Diaz admitted he had a “very bad heroin habit” and stole the merchandise in order to sell it for drug money.
According to the police report, Diaz is on parole for attempted murder.
Sheriff’s Detective Ken Alderman said at the time of his capture, there was an arrest warrant out for Diaz on an assault and battery charge.
Diaz and Vega-Baez were arraigned in Rochester Hills 52-3 District Court. Each man is being held in Oakland County Jail in lieu of a $2,000 bond.
Diaz is also being held in lieu of a $10,000 bond connected with the assault and battery charge, Alderman said.