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Man involved in multiple thefts arrested after social media post

Man involved in multiple thefts arrested after social media post
Posted at 3:05 PM, Jan 16, 2018
and last updated 2018-01-16 10:12:48-05

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - A social media post asking for help identifying a suspect involved in a robbery from Big Lots has lead to an arrest.

The Tallahassee Police Department says Kashus Cotton, who was already in the Leon County Detention Facility for theft charges, is now facing additional charges related to multiple thefts around the city.

According to court documents, TPD responded to the Big Lots at 3111 Mahan Drive on Dec. 10. When they arrived, an employee told them that a nervous looking man had come into the store, picked up a space heater, and walked to the front of the store.

When employees asked the man if he had a receipt for the item, he took off running, knocking a sales associate over and breaking items.

Surveillance video showed the incident as described by the employee. Officers were able to use the footage to identify the owner of the suspect vehicle. 

Further investigation revealed the car had been involved in a Christmas Eve theft from Petco. 

After not being able to find any new leads, police posted a surveillance photo of the suspect on Facebook on Jan. 4. A day later, police got an anonymous tip that identified the suspect as Kashus Cotton.

The employee at Big Lots was able to pick out Cotton from a lineup as the suspect in the theft.

Cotton, who was already in the Leon County Detention Facility for stealing a bike, was charged with petit theft (third offense) and larceny. 

He is also facing three grand theft charges for his involvement in another theft. He remains in jail on a $19,500 bond.

Cotton has had five prior theft convictions.