Doral, FL - A suspected shoplifter at a South Florida Walmart was apprehended in the bathroom stall of a nearby Sam's Club on Tuesday.
Law enforcement authorities took the suspect, identified as Melvin Cochran, into custody following an incident at a retail complex in Doral.
Cochran, 43, of Miami, was apprehended in a bathroom stall at Sam's Club by Doral police.
According to police, an officer called for backup after observing Cochran engaging in shoplifting activities involving high-value merchandise at the Walmart located on Northwest 13th Terrace.
Cochran then fled across the Walmart's parking lot toward Sam's Club.
Efforts were made by the officer to stop Cochran in the parking lot, however, Cochran repeatedly claimed ignorance of the situation and abandoned his shopping cart with the stolen merchandise while attempting to escape.
Witnesses told responding officers that Cochran fled to the Sam's Club restroom.
Upon entering the restroom, law enforcement personnel issued verbal commands for Cochran to exit the bathroom stall, however, Cochran declined to comply, resulting in an officer forcefully opening the stall door.
Inside the stall, Cochran was discovered standing atop a toilet.
Authorities instructed him to assume a position on the floor, but Cochran declined to do so, resulting in officers physically restraining Cochran and placing him in handcuffs and under arrest.
Cochran was transported to the Doral police station for processing before being transferred to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
He's facing charges of grand theft and resisting an officer without resorting to violence.