Police: Man stole iPhones from Garner Walmart, threatened employee with knife in chaotic theft

A man is believed to have stolen multiple iPhones at a Walmart in Garner and threatened an employee with a knife, according to police.

Garner Police told WRAL News a man was riding a bicycle around the Walmart store off Fayetteville Road on Thursday. The man eventually entered the store and broke a glass case containing the phones before taking them.

Capt. Chris Adams said the man threatened a Walmart associate with a knife before leaving with the stolen merchandise. The store was temporarily closed while police investigated.

A suspect description was not given. No one was hurt.

At about the same time, Raleigh Police say, Thomas Cauther was stealing a City of Raleigh pickup truck on Lineberry Drive.

Bystander Samantha Ranlet didn't see the theft but did see the aftermath, saying there was a bicycle left behind at the scene.

"It was in the middle of the lane. It was all bent and mangled like it had been hit by a car or run over by a car," said Ranlet.

Raleigh police say they tracked Cauther to Crabtree Valley Mall where he allegedly crashed the truck before getting out, pulling a woman out of another car, throwing her to the ground, and driving off.

Cauther was finally arrested after a foot chase on Fairview Road.

According to Capt. Adams, Cauther is responsible for both Walmart and Crabtree Valley Mall crimes.

These crimes come on the same day Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson highlighted a spike in vehicle thefts in the city.

The chief said those thefts are up 26% in the first quarter of this year.