Sunday afternoon, four members of the Girl Scouts Troop 20057 were outside
Walmart on Clinton Highway selling their popular cookies when a man bolted out
of the door and passed their table.
Troop member Rachael Osucha said, "I didn't really know he was
shoplifting, but I could tell something was wrong."
Emma Peck, another member of Troop 20057, said, "The security people
came out saying there's a shoplifter. He just ran out of nowhere and then we
were pointing out where he went and what he was wearing."
Knoxville police say if it wasn't for the girls being observant they may not
have caught the man, who's been identified as Ricky Ezell.
KPD Officer Kyle Loveday explained what happened inside the store.
"The Loss Prevention Officers caught a guy who was doing a fraudulent
return. They were walking back to the Loss Prevention Office and he ended up
fighting one of the Loss Prevention Officers," Officer Loveday said.
Assistant Troop Leader Michelle Peck was with the Girl Scouts as the sold
cookies outside Walmart and said, "I was very proud of them both in that
they remembered everything and they did exactly what they were supposed to do
in the commotion, which I thought was impressive."
Police say Ricky Ezell was arrested and charged with shoplifting, fleeing,
and two counts of assault for allegedly knocking down a security officer.
Police say the security officer is okay.