A suspected underwear thief escaped from police Saturday morning after initially being caught at a local department store.

DeKalb police responded to a report of retail theft at Elder-Beerman, 2550 Sycamore Road, at about 11:40 a.m. after management told police they had the suspect in custody.

The store’s manager told police she saw the man steal $126.74 worth of clothing from the back office and place it in a Bed Bath & Beyond bag. She confronted him in the parking lot as he left, where he reportedly confessed to stealing the clothes and said he would pay the store.

Officers met with the man who identified himself as Telly Dodson. Police said he was found to have also stolen several pairs of Jockey underwear he claimed he stole from JCPenney, 2540 Sycamore Road.

As management showed police surveillance video, Dodson ran out of the store’s office and took off running into the parking lot. Police chased him, but were unable to find him. Police said he likely left the area in his vehicle, a Pontiac Vibe.

Complaints for retail theft, burglary and obstructing a peace officer were signed. An Elder-Beerman representative declined say whether Dodson got away with the merchandise.