A Bellefontaine man was arrested Sunday after stealing two Yeti coolers from Dunham’s Sporting Goods.
Robert Buscher, 33, of Bellefontaine, was arrested on Sunday after officers investigated the reported theft at the store.
Police were dispatched to Dunham’s around 4:40 p.m. after a store employee reported that a man had run out with two coolers.
Surveillance footage showed Buscher placing the coolers near the registers before leaving the store with them while employees were distracted.
A customer reportedly saw Buscher running around the building and followed him.
The customer told police Buscher left the coolers behind a dumpster before meeting up with another man behind the store.
The store employee later checked the area and contacted police.
Officers identified Buscher through the surveillance footage and confirmed he had an active warrant out of Union County for shoplifting.
Police found him at an apartment on Kristina Drive, where he was arrested on the outstanding warrant.
During a search, officers found a mask in Buscher’s back pocket that he reportedly admitted wearing during the theft.
Buscher told officers he stole the coolers and took them to an address in Rushsylvania. He said the other man had no involvement in the theft and did not know about it beforehand.
Buscher also told police he stole the items because he owed someone money and needed help.
Officers later recovered one of the stolen Yeti coolers at the Rushsylvania address and returned it to Dunham’s.
The store reported the two coolers had a combined value of $645.
Buscher was taken to the Logan County Jail and lodged on a theft charge.
