A Fort Oglethorpe man led police on a short-lived chase after, police say, he attempted to steal $20 worth of bed sheets from the Wal-Mart on Battlefield Parkway, and then fled the scene on foot after being confronted by store employees.

According to the Fort Oglethorpe Police Department:

Patrick Earl Pence, 21, of Cedar Village Lane in Fort Oglethorpe was arrested on Tuesday, Feb. 21, on charges of shoplifting and loitering/prowling following a shoplifting attempt that saw him lead police on a chase into the wooded area surround the shopping complex.

Pence has been released from jail on bond.

Officers were dispatched to 3040 Ga. 2 (Battlefield Parkway) shortly after 11 a.m. on Feb. 21 in search of Pence, who was described as wearing a black hooded sweatshirt over an orange t-shirt.

Officers secured the wooded area between Hibbett Sports and Moriah Baptist Church, reports show.

“After setting the perimeter, the offender (Pence) came out and surrendered to myself and officer Joel Walker,” officer Chad Cardin wrote in the report. “I then transported Pence back to the Wal-Mart store to meet with loss pre-vention officers who stated that Pence had attempted to steal $20 worth of bed sheets before relinquishing the items and taking off on foot.”