By Karen Colbenson
kcolbenson@postbulletin.com
An 18-year-old Austin man was arrested Monday evening after he allegedly tried to leave a liquor store with two bottles of stolen vodka stuffed in his pants.
According to Police Chief Paul Philipp, the man, accompanied by a 16-year-old girl, entered Austin Liquor Store, 714 Fourth Ave. N.E., at about 7:24 p.m. Monday. The owner of the liquor store noticed the man walking with his hands down at his side as if he were trying to keep something from falling out of his clothing, said Philipp.
The owner patted the man down and found two bottles of Phillips Vodka in his pants. The man handed one bottle back to the owner, and then tried to exit the store, but the owner blocked the door, said Philipp.
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The man and woman again tried to exit the store, and the man hit the owner on the shoulder, said Philipp. They then exited the store and fled north.
Police located the two near Packer Arena, where the man was arrested and transported to the Mower County jail, and the girl was apprehended and released to her mother.
The man is being charged with simple robbery. Possible charges against the girl are pending, said Philipp.
