Mount Pleasant police say two Racine men attempted to steal 23 lobster tails from Aldi’s by stuffing them down their pants and are now facing theft charges.

Anemencio Delacruz, 38, and David Starks, 46, were charged Monday in Racine County Circuit Court. Delacruz was charged with one misdemeanor count each of obstruction and theft. If convicted he faces up to 18 months in prison and/or up to $20,000 in fines. Starks was charged with one misdemeanor count each of obstruction, theft, and bail jumping. If he is convicted, he faces up to 2-1/3 years in prison and/or up to $30,000 in fines.

According to the criminal complaint, officers were called at 1:47 p.m. Friday to Aldi’s, 6925 Durand Avenue, for a report of shoplifting in progress. While police were en route, dispatch advised that the suspects – later identified as Delacruz and Starks – were leaving the store and headed through the parking lot toward Walmart. Witness provided descriptions of both men.

Officers say store employees told them Delacruz and Starks were seen stuffing lobster tails down their pants and into their coat sleeves. This is not an uncommon occurrence, workers said.

Police observed a man matching one of the descriptions walking around the side of a semi truck parked in the parking lot of Walmart. Officers activated their lights and when they came around the side of the truck, Delacruz took off, dropping items along his flight path including his coat and lobster tails, the complaint reads.

The defendant refused police commands to stop even under threat of a K9 take-down, but officers say they caught up to Delacruz and took him into custody without further incident after he stopped running. During his arrest, Delacruz told police, “Aw, (expletive), this is a dumb idea.”

Items recovered from Delacruz fleeing included his jacket, hat and 10 Maine lobster tails worth $129.90, the complaint reads.

Starks was apprehended while he walked east on Durand Avenue. Police say he had 13 Main lobster tails in his possession totaling $168.87 for a total between the two $298.77.

The lobster tails were returned to Aldi’s and Delacruz and Starks were booked into the Racine County Jail.

Both defendants remain in RCJ on $400 and $200 cash bonds, respectively. They will both be back in court Nov. 5 for their pre-trial conferences.