Adam Kempf

A Waterloo man with prior shoplifting convictions was arrested on multiple felonies this week following an incident at the Waterloo Schnucks.

Adam C. Kempf, 34, of Waterloo, is charged with felony retail theft, aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude police, both felonies, as well as one misdemeanor count of unlawful possession of a theft detection device.

Police received a report shortly before midnight on Tuesday from an employee of Schnucks, who said a man was in the store for more than 90 minutes and acting suspicious.

Police attempted to stop Kempf’s vehicle in the Schnucks parking lot, but he “drove at and around” patrol cars and sped away, Waterloo Police Chief Jim Trantham said.

After being given a visual signal by a Monroe County sheriff’s deputy and Waterloo police officer, Kempf disobeyed multiple traffic signals while eluding police. Trantham said the pursuit ended in a bean field on Gall Road and Kempf was taken into custody.

Kempf is alleged to have taken nine cans of baby formula. His theft charge is a felony due to prior retail theft convictions.

Kempf remains in the Monroe County Jail on $50,000 bond. A preliminary hearing date of Sept. 29 has been set.