Self-checkout line theft suspect gets felony due to priors

Sean P. McInnis (Rochester Police photo)

ROCHESTER - Police say a Rochester man stole an item from the Home Depot on Tuesday then dropped it and ran when police gave chase after spotting him nearby on North Main Street.

The incident unfolded a little before 1:30 p.m. when Rochester Police Dispatch took a 911 call from someone in the self-checkout line who said they saw the suspect just walk out of the store without paying.

The caller said when the theft alarms starting going off he broke into a run.

A short time later an officer saw the suspect - later identified as Sean P. McInnis - walking on North Main Street with the item in hand, but he dropped it and took off running again.

Moments later McInnis, 40, of South Main Street, was apprehended and charged with felony receiving stolen property (due to prior conviction) and resisting arrest, a Class A misdemeanor.

Police also found that McInnis had a Strafford County Capias and a previous theft warrant from an alleged November theft at the North Main Street Hannaford's. McInnis refused bail and is being arraigned today.