Brawling Pick'n Save Shoplifter Loses Fight for Two Bottles of Vodka

Patch has learned more about the fist-waving shoplifter that was caught on camera attempting to flee Pick’n Save on County Line Road Friday.

The thief, 29-year-old Milwaukee resident Joel Gates, attempted to steal two bottles of vodka from the store at roughly 7:30 p.m. Friday by placing them into a backpack.

Gates didn’t get far, however.

A plainclothes security guard caught up with Gates in the parking lot and attempted to stop him. Instead of cooperating, Gates resisted detention and started to wrestle with the guard in the parking lot. The guard placed Gates in an arm lock, and the two rolled around atop the pavement for several minutes.

Gates eventually loosened from the grips of the guard, but two passers-by had joined the fray and assisted the guard. . Outnumbered, Gates still refused to obey orders from the guards and two men. Surrounded by three men, Gates decided to get into a boxing stance and put his fists up and prepared for a fight.

He also threatened the guard and two men by saying he had a gun in his backpack.

The three men attempted to place handcuffs on Gates, but he once again proved to be elusive. After escaping their grips, Gates jogged from the parking lot toward and . However, after a 15-minute ordeal the had arrived on the scene, and arrested gates along Appleton Avenue.

Gates, who was also on probation, was cited for disorderly conduct and state shoplifting. He transported to jail, and the vodka was returned.