Suspect allegedly stole clothes to hide

St. Petersburg, Fla. -- Authorities in St. Petersburg, Fla., said a suspect allegedly stole clothing from a mall in an apparent attempt to disguise himself from sheriff's deputies.

Pinellas County deputies said a reckless driver was reported at about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. The driver, identified as Cantez Caldwell, 31, crashed his vehicle into a light pole near the entrance to Tyrone Square Mall while fleeing from officers, the St. Petersburg Times reported Thursday.

The sheriff's office said Caldwell allegedly ran into the mall and stole a pair of sports shoes, shorts, a shirt and a ball cap from a Macy's store inside the mall in an apparent attempt to disguise himself, but he was spotted by deputies and arrested.

Caldwell was charged with aggravated fleeing and eluding, driving with a suspended license, leaving the scene of an accident with property damage, retail theft, possession of marijuana, reckless driving, and driving an unregistered motor vehicle.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.