TEMPLE (December 16, 2009)-A Temple-area youth was arrested Tuesday in connection with an attempted shoplifting that turned into a case of felony robbery at a Temple department store.

Temple Police Sgt. Brad Hunt said Wednesday police were called to the Macy's department store at the Temple Mall Tuesday evening in reference to a theft over $50 after a male juvenile was detained by a theft prevention officer employed by the store.

Responding officers determined the youth attempted to take two clothing items from the store without paying.

When he was confronted outside by the store employee, police say he attempted to run.

Hunt said the store employee was injured during a struggle to detain the youth; she received a cut to her finger.

The suspect was charged with felony robbery and taken to the Juvenile Detention Center in Killeen because of the injury that occurred during the crime.

Had he not attempted to flee he would have simply been charged with a misdemeanor theft and returned home to await his court date, Hunt said.

Temple Police hope this incident serves as a reminder that many stores do prosecute for theft and take active measures to prevent it.