Last week the Manteca Police Department arrested a man they say has stolen more than $5,000 of merchandise from local retailers in recent months.

Jared Duane McWhirter, 37, of Modesto, was arrested in Modesto by Manteca Police Detectives after a string of thefts from Manteca retail stores like Kohl’s, Old Navy, and Vans were captured on security cameras – apparently showing McWhirter fleeing stores with armfuls of merchandise that was not paid for.

McWhirter was first identified by Manteca Police Community Service Officer Joanne Davis outside of a recent theft at Old Navy.

Officers were able to make an identification of him after he returned to Manteca to do the same thing at Kohl’s, and detectives were notified by loss prevention agents from the store.

With the help of the Stanislaus County Probation Department officers were able to make to learn that he is on felony probation for auto theft and has an extensive criminal history, and get a location where officers were able to take him into custody on a host of charges.

McWhirter remains in custody at the San Joaquin County Jail on $50,000 bail and is facing a host of felony charges including grand theft. He is due back in court in Manteca to answer to those charges on July 12 at 8:30 a.m.

To contact Bulletin reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.