SHELBY TOWNSHIP, MI — A retail fraud investigation at a Walmart in Shelby Township led police to the arrest of a fugitive wanted out of Wisconsin after investigators used the FLOCK camera system and other law enforcement tools to identify and locate the suspect.
According to the Shelby Township Police Department, an officer responded to a retail fraud complaint on January 6, 2026. The suspect had already fled the store in a black SUV before officers arrived. The case was immediately referred to the department’s Detective Bureau for further investigation.
Detectives obtained surveillance footage from inside the Walmart and used facial recognition technology to assist in identifying the suspect. With help from additional law enforcement databases, investigators developed a possible suspect and utilized the FLOCK camera system to locate the vehicle involved. The vehicle, a black Saturn Vue, was observed in the area at the time of the theft.
The suspect was identified as Scottie Todd Patterson, who was found to have an active felony warrant out of Wisconsin for a parole violation related to a bank robbery. Detectives contacted the Milwaukee Police Department, where a detective confirmed Patterson’s warrant status and advised that he had disabled his electronic tether and was actively evading law enforcement.
On January 13, 2026, the lead detective requested assistance from the Shelby Township Special Investigation Unit. Detectives conducted surveillance at Patterson’s known address in Warren and located the suspect vehicle parked in the driveway. A short time later, officers observed the vehicle leave the residence with Patterson seated in the passenger seat.
Shelby Township officers coordinated a vehicle takedown and successfully took Patterson into custody without incident. During the arrest, officers discovered Patterson was in possession of several baggies containing suspected narcotics.
Patterson was arraigned on January 14, 2026, in 41-A District Court before Magistrate Alayan on a charge of Retail Fraud 1st Degree. He was issued a $50,000 cash or surety bond. Authorities expect Patterson to be extradited to Milwaukee to face his parole violation related to his robbery conviction.
Additional charges related to the suspected narcotics remain pending.