Olympia Police nab shoplifting suspect at Home Depot in Olympia

Olympia Police arrested a 30-year-old Lakewood man last week after he allegedly attempted to steal more than $2,000 in merchandise from the Home Depot on Fones Road.

Michael Charles Laughlin, who has since made an appearance at Thurston County Superior Court, faces charges of second-degree robbery and retail theft with extenuating circumstances, according to probable cause documents.

Laughlin and an accomplice also are accused of attempting to steal nearly $17,000 in merchandise from Home Depot stores in Tumwater, Gig Harbor and Federal Way, according to Olympia police.

Olympia police gave the following account:

About 8:30 p.m. Wednesday (Aug. 26), Laughlin and another man stashed merchandise near the fire exit of the Home Depot on Fones Road. The accomplice left to get a truck, while Laughlin loaded the items into his cart and then exited through the fire door.

Two loss-prevention employees followed him as he left, eventually fighting with and tackling Laughlin before they put him in handcuffs and waited for police.

The accomplice, who drove off, has not been arrested, although Olympia police have leads, including the license plate number of the vehicle, Lt. Paul Lower said.

This story was originally published August 31, 2015 at 4:06 PM with the headline "Olympia Police nab shoplifting suspect at Home Depot in Olympia."