HOWELL TOWNSHIP-A Jackson man told arresting police officers he had been tested positive for coronavirus after he was held for shoplifting by store employees at the Howell Township Lowe’s home improvement center.
Frank Fredricks, 30, of Jackson, was charged by the Howell Police Department on April 6 with shoplifting (3rd degree), reckless endangerment (disorderly persons offense), and violation of the emergency orders. Police responded to the Lowe’s home improvement store in Howell, where Fredericks and two other individuals were being detained by Lowe’s employees for allegedly stealing more than $2,000 worth of power tools. During transport to police headquarters, Fredericks told the officers he had tested positive for the coronavirus. He had been to other Lowe’s stores with his codefendants earlier in the day.Photo by Jelleke Vanooteghem.