FAIRFIELD — Police Monday thanked a resident who they say helped them locate an alleged shoplifter who ran away from officers while he was being arrested.

Keenan S. Jenkins. (Courtesy Fairfield Police)
 

According to a release from Fairfield Police Chief Anthony Manna, Keenan S. Jenkins, 28, of Teaneck, was caught swiping a $250 Play Station 4 gaming system from the township Target at 6:37 p.m. Sunday. Responding officers arrested Jenkins outside the store, police said.

While the police officer was unlocking his patrol car, Jenkins ran through the parking lot and across Route 46, officials said.

As officers from Fairfield and surrounding towns searched for Jenkins, police sent out a Nixle alert at 7:50 p.m. letting residents know the cuffed Jenkins was on the run, authorities said. A resident who received the alert contacted police when he spotted Jenkins on route 46 near Dale Drive, authorities said.

After a brief chase, police arrested Jenkins behind the Ashley Furniture store on Route 46, at 8:05 p.m., police said.

“This was a great cooperative effort, not only by the responding police personnel but more importantly, by a member of the community who took the time to get involved by signing up for police advisements and then by acting on it when they received information about a wanted criminal” Manna said in the release.

Jenkins was being held and processed at the Fairfield police headquarters Monday.

Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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