A man allegedly stole a handful of meat while police officers were investigating another shoplifting in a grocery store and forced a customer in the parking lot to be his getaway Thursday evening.

At about 9:30 p.m., St. Joseph Police Department officers were called to a female shoplifter in custody at Price Chopper, 903 N. 36th St.

While officers processed the woman at the back of the store, the man allegedly grabbed numerous packets of meat and ran out of the store, Capt. Carol Cummings said. Loss prevention notified police officers about the second theft.

Ms. Cummings said officers located a customer nearby the store who said the shoplifter had shown him and his friend a knife in the parking lot. The suspect ordered his friend to walk away.

The man told officers he was made to drive south on 36th Street, where he dropped off the suspect, who entered the woods behind Western Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center, Ms. Cummings said.

The victim, who declined to assist officers in the investigation, described the suspect only by clothing description. Police were expected to release more information about the incident today.