Westlake police arrest two suspects in connection with thousands of dollars worth of Nordstrom rack thefts

WESTLAKE, Ohio –

Nordstrom Rack security reported a shoplifting incident at 12:20 p.m. on September 27, where a suspect hid perfume bottles in bags and their clothing.

The suspect left the store without paying for approximately 45 bottles of perfume and got into a vehicle that drove east on Detroit Road.

Officers pursued the vehicle east on Detroit and south on Bassett Road before discontinuing the pursuit for safety reasons. Officers found the vehicle abandoned in a residential driveway in Basett. Westlake and North Olmsted officers began searching the area while the doors of nearby schools were locked to prevent anyone from entering.

A 40-year-old Toledo man was found hiding on Carousel Court 40 minutes later. According to police, charges of theft and escape are expected. An accomplice escaped.

Law enforcement officials believe the suspect they arrested was one of two people captured on surveillance video of previous thefts at Nordstrom Rack. On August 22 and 29, two suspects stole $2,000 worth of handbags, women’s fragrances and other items from the store.

On Sept. 27 at 5 p.m., three people showed up at the Westlake Police Department to inquire about the release of the 40-year-old Toledo suspect. A police officer identified one of the three as the second suspect in the thefts on August 22 and 29. The 33-year-old Toledo resident was arrested and charged with theft. According to Westlake police, he was on probation for a previous firearms-related conviction.

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