Local thief captured

On Friday, May 27, Maricopa police officers were dispatched to the Wal-Mart Superstore on Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway, in reference to a possible shoplift complaint.

Employees witnessed a male in the store whom they knew to be a suspect in a previous felony theft on May 24. During that incident, the suspect took approximately $5,000 worth of merchandise.

In this incident, Wal-Mart personnel attempted to contact the male while the police were called. When the suspect realized he had been spotted, he exited the store and store personnel began to follow. An officer spotted the suspect, who attempted to elude him and a foot pursuit ensued. The suspect was captured without further incident.

When the suspect was identified as Terry Lee Beets, 48, officers learned he had a felony arrest warrant in Maricopa County for additional felony thefts. In addition, a responding officer believed Beets had committed a burglary and felony theft at the Fry’s Store on April 13. During the Fry’s incident, he took an estimated $2,000 worth of merchandise.

Utilizing the video seized in the two prior incidents, officers were able to positively identify Beets as the suspect in those crimes. Beets confessed to the two prior incidents. He was booked into the Pinal County Jail on multiple counts of burglary, felony theft and his outstanding felony warrant.