FOLSOM, Calif. — A man was arrested Sunday in Folsom after allegedly stealing roughly $1,280 in merchandise from Safeway and leading officers on a chase.
Around 3 p.m., the Folsom Police Department received a report of theft from the Safeway on Prairie City Road, according to a news release. The caller said they saw a man load a cart full of items and leave the store without paying, police said.
Police said the caller provided a description of the suspect, his vehicle, its license plate number and that the black Toyota was headed toward Highway 50.
An officer responded to westbound Highway 50 and located a vehicle matching all descriptions, and it was reportedly speeding and weaving in and out of traffic, the release said.
“Our officer pursued the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop,” the department said.
The vehicle allegedly exited Highway 50 at Zinfandel Drive and continued to drive dangerously onto Olson Drive, police said. The suspect driver then turned into a parking lot on the 11000 Block of Olson Drive, in front of the Kumon center in Rancho Cordova, and yielded to the officer.
“Put your hands up,” an officer yells in released body camera footage. “Roll it down.”
Eric Nels Kephart, 30, of Elk Grove was arrested and faces charges related to grand theft and evading a police officer, police said. He was booked into Sacramento County Main Jail just after 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
The allegedly stolen items were recovered and returned to Safeway, authorities said. The estimated value of the items was over $1,280.
Jail records show Kephart is facing one felony and one misdemeanor charge pertaining to officer evasion and a felony grand theft charge related to taking property exceeding $950.
His bail is set at $50,000, and he is expected to be arraigned Tuesday afternoon in Sacramento County Superior Court, jail records show.
