A shoplifting incident at the Burlington Coat Factory on Winchester Road escalated into a series of collisions and a vehicle chase on Monday evening. According to a social media post by the Shelby County Sheriff's Office, at around 5:50 PM, deputies were alerted to the theft by an employee of the store. The suspects, attempting to flee, engaged in reckless behavior that included ramming several cars, leading to their eventual arrest.
Upon trying to stop the suspect as they rushed to their getaway car, the driver struck a deputy’s vehicle and two other parked cars with unexpected force before speeding off. The sheriff's deputies took up a chase on the 385 highway, which ended at the off-ramp of Kirby Parkway—where the suspects' vehicle, now disabled due to the damage, came to a defiant halt. Throughout the ordeal, thankfully, no injuries were reported, the sheriff's office stated.
The individuals responsible for the shoplifting and subsequent chaos have been identified as Mario Pirtle, 47, and Kenneth Taper, 59. Following their apprehension, deputies found and returned stolen goods worth approximately $872.00 to the Burlington Coat Factory. Charges laid against the duo include theft of property, evading arrest, and in Taper's case, several driving-related offenses, among them reckless driving and driving with a suspended license.
While the aftermath of the collision saw both Pirtle and Taper taken into custody without further incident, the event underscores the risks that can suddenly flare up in the course of seemingly routine law enforcement situations. As the suspects now face their charges, the sheriff’s office is likely relieved that the mix of shoplifting and traffic violations did not result in any physical injuries to bystanders or officers involved.
