A 46-year-old Aurora man is facing felony retail theft and aggravated battery charges after police said he fought with store security officers who allegedly caught him shoplifting in Aurora on Friday.
Police said security officers at Carson Pirie Scott, 900 block of North Lake Street, spotted Ronald Scotti, 600 block of South River Street, stealing a bottle of Hugo Boss cologne and after shave, worth $165, around 4:47 p.m.
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Police were called, and when officers arrived they saw Scotti handcuffed and lying face down on the ground yelling, police wrote in their report. They took Scotti in for an interview and learned what happened prior to officers being called.
Security officers for the store said they saw Scotti conceal the merchandise and then exit the store. He was stopped as he was leaving and agreed to follow security officers back inside, police said.
As they were walking back into the store, one of the security officers was walking behind Scotti and accidentally kicked one of his feet, she told police. Scotti allegedly became angry and began to swing at the security officers.
They said they were able to wrestle Scotti to the ground and get him in handcuffs. As they did, he began swearing at the security officers and yelling, police said.
One of the two security officers involved received minor injuries in the scuffle and a felony aggravated battery charge against Scotti was authorized by the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office.
According to police reports, Scotti denied stealing the merchandise, and said he intended to pay for the products. Police said he had just 92 cents on him at the time of his arrest.
Scotti was charged with felony retail theft, based on a prior conviction; felony aggravated battery and two counts of misdemeanor battery, police said.