On Jan. 10, at approximately 4:30 p.m., Sheriff Timothy Cameron was off duty, driving through the parking lot of BJ Wholesale Club in California when he observed a male running from BJ’s towards Staples carrying a box. Sheriff Cameron witnessed the male throw the box to the ground and then observed what appeared to be two BJ’s employees chasing the subject.
Sheriff Cameron, believing a theft had just occurred, gave chase and yelled to the suspect that he was a police officer and ordered the suspect to stop. The suspect initially kept running. The Sheriff caught up with the suspect and again ordered him to stop.
The suspect complied and was detained by Cameron. The store employees arrived on the scene where Cameron asked the store employees to call 911. The suspect/accused is identified as Ryan James Watson, 19 of St. Leonard.
Further investigation revealed Watson had placed numerous electronic games into a box and exited BJ’s without paying for the items. Watson was arrested. A search incident to the arrest revealed Watson was in possession of a hypodermic needle containing suspect heroin residue.
Watson was charged with theft, possession of a controlled dangerous substance (heroin) and possession of controlled dangerous substance paraphernalia.
