Car Theft Foils Alleged Shoplifters

File this one under "The Gang Who Couldn't Shoot Straight."

Two people accused of being shoplifters were themselves the victim of an alleged crime when they returned to their vehicle and found that it had been "handled." Yes, this dastardly duo who stand accused of stealing vastly important items such as batteries, makeup, and (wait for it) energy bars, found their getaway rather compromised when their getaway car wasn't in much shape for getting away.

But wait, there's more: The person who these two alleged pilferers appealed to for help — a passing motorist — was, in fact, a police officer, who took their statement — noting that they reported the theft from the vehicle of a car stereo and amplifier, some cigarettes, and a drum machine. And when the pair were done telling the officer all they knew about that, they got a citation for shoplifting from the very nice policeman, who was in the neighborhood because he was parked in the lot outside the supermarket from which the two allegedly stole the host of lightweight items.

We don't yet know what the officer bought at the store. Presumably, that's in the police report. And why he didn't see the car break-in remains to be seen … or not.