Racine police say a 25-year-old man is facing a felony theft charge after he stole almost $700 in tools by concealing them in his baby’s stroller.
Ricky Sorenson, of Racine, was charged Friday with a single felony charge of retail theft. If convicted, he faces up to 3-1/2 years in prison and/or up to $10,000 in fines.
According to the criminal complaint, police were called March 25 to Harbor Freight Tools, 2380 S. Green Bay Road, for a report of a theft in progress. When officers arrived, they spoke to a store manager who said a man was seen leaving the store with items in a baby stroller. Then, the man returned and was still in the store when police arrived.
Officers say they approached the man – later identified as Sorenson – and he was sweating and shaking. When he handed police his ID, his hand was trembling uncontrollably. Police asked if he had any merchandise in his stroller, and Sorenson lifted the baby’s car seat to reveal a number of items, including some in a duffel bag, totaling $245.85.
Sorenson gave officers permission to search his vehicle, the complaint reads, and police found another $447.28 worth of products in the car.
All told, Sorenson is accused of taking $693.13 worth of merchandise from Harbor Freight.
Sorenson posted a $200 cash bond on March 30 and his initial appearance adjourned until April 29, but that proceeding was postponed again because he didn’t have a lawyer. Court Commissioner Alice Rudebusch Friday confirmed Sorenson’s cash bond and scheduled his preliminary hearing for May 20.