KEY POINTS

  • Holden, 21, shoplifted soaps and cleaning supplies
  • He was arrested before he could escape
  • It's unclear if he wanted the items for himself or to resell them

A Bronx man was arrested early Tuesday morning for stealing almost $90 worth of soap and cleaning products.

Charles Holden, 51, attempted to steal a handful of soap and cleaning items from a Manhattan Duane Reade in Manhattan around 6 AM but was apprehended by cops before he could escape, The New York Post reported.

He was charged with petit larceny and criminal possession of stolen property.

As the demand for hygiene and cleaning supplies skyrocket due to hoarding and panic-buying amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it is still unclear if Holden stole those items for his personal consumption or to resell them.

Panic-buying is criss-crossing the globe with the coronavirus, defying repeated calls for calm and disrupting supply chains
Panic-buying is criss-crossing the globe with the coronavirus, defying repeated calls for calm and disrupting supply chains AFP / CHARLY TRIBALLEAU
Coronavirus