Man Should Have Chugged Energy Drinks Instead of Chucking Them

Mount Pleasant police say they apprehended a Racine man Tuesday after a short foot chase because he was trying to elude arrest for stealing almost $200 worth of energy drinks.

Terrance Boyden, 33, was charged Wednesday in Racine County Circuit Court with one misdemeanor count each of retail theft, repeater; obstructing an officer, repeater; and disorderly conduct, repeater. If convicted, he faces up to 21 months in jail and/or up to $11,500 in fines.

Boyden was released from jail in May and convicted again of retail theft on June 15 and July 12. Because he is considered a repeat offender, a judge can tack extra time onto any sentence Boyden might receive.

According to the criminal complaint, Mount Pleasant police were called at 1:06 p.m. Tuesday to the Pick 'n' Save at 1202 N. Green Bay Road for a report of retail theft. When officers arrived, store staffers said a black male with a large build had taken a number of items and stored them in his backpack before exiting the store.

Police say a store employee followed the man - later identified as Boyden - and reported that the defendant walked south on Highway 31 and then ran along the property lines of Westway Drive. When officers arrived in the area they ordered Boyden to stop, but he refused and continued running. A second command to stop and get on the ground was obeyed and Boyden was taken into custody.

In the meantime, the store employee kept in contact with police and informed them that Boyden had been throwing items from the backpack during the foot chase. Officers say that when they questioned Boyden about the backpack and any stolen items, he denied having a backpack or throwing anything.

MPPD officers walked the route Boyden took when he ran, the complaint reads, and in the bushes of properties along Westway Drive they found:

• One six-pack of Five Hour Energy shots, located in the front yard bushes of 4501 Westway Dr.
• Two six-packs of Five Hour Energy shots, located in the bushes of 4523 Westway Dr.
• Ten six-packs of Five Hour Energy shots and a small bible with the name BOYDEN written on the first page, located on the southeast side of 4523 Westway Dr.
• One gray and black backpack containing paperwork addressed to Terrance Boyden, 4417 Westway Dr.