A man from Anchorage has been charged with shoplifting from Three Bears and injuring two employees while attempting to escape, according to an affidavit filed at the Kenai Courthouse on March 12.
Michael Eugene Villa, 30, was allegedly at the Three Bears grocery store in Kenai on March 2 and attempted to steal a bottle of liquor by concealing it in his pants. According to the affidavit, employees from the store approached Villa and Villa attempted to run away, knocking over shelves and breaking glass bottles on his way out. Two employees reportedly attempted to physically restrain Villa, causing one to suffer a laceration on his forehead and the other to be bitten on the arm by Villa.
According to the affidavit, Villa was able to escape and fled through the emergency exit, leaving behind his hat and wallet as well as the bottle of alcohol that he was allegedly attempting to steal.
Kenai Police Department and Alaska State Troopers responded to the scene after the altercation and were unable to locate Villa. The damage to Three Bears merchandise amounted to $754.95, while the bottle of Bombay Sapphire Gin Villa allegedly concealed in his pants was worth $26.39, according to the affidavit.
An investigation revealed that Villa was on probation in Anchorage for second-degree theft. Police contacted his probation officer who said that Villa did not have permission to travel to the Kenai area. A search warrant was issued based on this information, and on March 14 Villa was eventually located and sent to Anchorage.
Villa faces one count of third-degree criminal mischief, a class C felony, two counts of fourth-degree assault, a class A misdemeanor, and one count of concealment of merchandise, a class B misdemeanor.
