Staff Reports
An Indianapolis man carrying a pistol tried to flee a Columbus convenience store early Thursday, accused of shoplifting.
Bartholomew County Sheriff’s deputy Jarod Aspenson responded to a 3:40 a.m. call about suspected shoplifters at the Ricker’s store, 3545 W. County Road 450S in Columbus, police said.
Upon his arrival, Aspenson learned that the male suspect will still inside the store, believed to be taking items, while a female waited in a vehicle outside.
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Aspenson saw the male suspect — later identified as Adam Belt, 28, of 7207 Lakeland Trails Blvd., Indianapolis — fidgeting with something on the front of his pants, and moments later realized he was removing a 40-caliber pistol from his trousers, police said.
Aspenson used control techniques to restrain Belt, who was attempting to flee toward the door, and placed him in handcuffs, police said. The pistol was later found to be stolen, and various pills were found in his possession, they said.
Belt was taken to the Bartholomew County Jail, where he was held on a Johnson County warrant, possession of stolen property valued between $750 and $50,000, carrying a handgun without a license, possession of a controlled substance, false informing and resisting law enforcement. He was being held on a $7,500 bond.
Tessa Ratliff, 27, of 1016 Central Park Blvd., Greenwood, who was waiting in a vehicle outside, was detailed by Columbus Police Department officers, who arrived to assist in the investigation. She was arrested on charges of theft — receiving stolen property valued at less than $750, possession of methamphetamine and possession of paraphernalia. She was released from jail under the new arrest proxy program.
