Effingham County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a shoplifting suspect Thursday night after he led them on a foot chase through a grocery store and then fought with a sheriff’s deputy.

At approximately 1:35 a.m., deputies responded to the Kroger on Highway 21 south on a report of a shoplifting. According to store employees, the suspect, later identified as Kelvin Mikell, 24, of Rincon, attempted to shoplift alcohol and hide the items in his jacket.

As the deputy made contact with Mikell, he led them on a foot chase through Kroger. The deputy apprehended Mikell, who resisted arrest as well as fought the deputy, striking him. Mikell was taken into custody shortly after the struggle. A Rincon police officer assisted the deputy during this incident.

Mikell was arrested and charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, felony obstruction of a law enforcement officer and theft by shoplifting.
He was taken to the Effingham County Jail.