9/10/25 Westlake, OH – Shoplifter With A Cart Of Groceries Without Paying Runs Away When Confronted – A Westlake Detective Spotted Him – The Suspect Pointed A Can Of Mace At The Detective – Suspect Circled Around And Stole The Detective’s Police Car – He Was Later Arrested

 The Westlake Police Department confirmed one of their undercover cars was stolen by a suspected Giant Eagle shoplifter in broad daylight on Wednesday.

WPD Capt. Vogel said employees of the Giant Eagle at 30275 Detroit Rd. spotted a shoplifter taking off with a cart full of groceries without paying for anything.

Giant Eagle loss prevention called WPD at approximately 12:20 p.m., said Vogel.

Employees chased the suspect out of the store, and he ran away into the wooded area next to the shopping center, according to Vogel.

A WPD detective wearing plain clothes was in the area and found the man matching the description of the suspect, Vogel stated.

The suspect pointed a can of mace at the officer as he ran away, said Vogel, but never sprayed it at the officer who chased after him on foot.

Vogel said the suspect doubled back towards Giant Eagle and ran into an unparked police cruiser.

The unmarked cruiser was running, but the keys weren’t in it, according to Vogel.

However, when the officer who had the keys in his pocket was just a few feet away, the suspect was able to put it in drive and take off in the unmarked car, stated Vogel.

Vogel confirmed there was no vehicle police chase.

But, officers were able to track the car and block it 10 minutes later in Avon, where the incident ended, according to Vogel.

The suspect was arrested and identified as 52-year-old Vadim Golovanov of Cleveland.