An off-duty inspector with the North Bay Police Service helped arrest a suspected shoplifter last weekend who was fleeing staff from a local retailer. The incident took place Sept. 13 on Lakeshore Drive, police said in a Sept. 16 news release. “Insp. Scott McFarlane, who was off-duty at the time, observed a male being pursued by staff from a local retailer following an alleged theft,” police said. “McFarlane followed the male and caught up with him nearby, where he was in possession of merchandise believed to have been stolen from the retailer.” While McFarlane placed the man under arrest, the suspect resisted and tried to hit him. However, patrol officers arrived a short time later and took the 23-year-old man into custody. Policing not a 9-5 job “With more than 30 years of policing behind him, the quick actions of Insp. McFarlane in recognizing a problem and acting quickly and decisively to intervene demonstrate that policing is more than a 9-to-5 job for him,” acting deputy chief Jeff Warner said in the news release. “He has the heart and commitment of a true cop and continues to find satisfaction in keeping our community safe and holding those who commit crimes accountable. His dedication to his profession and the safety of our community is unwavering.” The North Bay man has been charged with shoplifting under $5,000, resisting arrest and failing to comply with a probation order. He has been released on an undertaking with a future court date.
