Hamilton man fakes disability to steal $500 in razors

Police have nabbed a Hamilton man who was trying to steal a duffle bag full of razors while circumventing the city's policy for free transit rides for people with disabilities.

Around 5 p.m. on Thursday, police were alerted to a shoplifter fleeing a pharmacy in the area of University Plaza on Osler Drive in Dundas.

Officers found the man attempting to hobble onto a city bus using a walker and carrying a duffle bag. When the man saw the officers he ditched the walker and ran, police say.

"I don't know if the walker was a decoy or what," said Const. Debbie McGreal-Dinning, media relations officer for Hamilton police. The city has a voluntary pay program for people with wheelchairs, four-point canes, walkers and scooters. Those riders may pay the full fare to ride city buses, but are not obligated to.

The officers eventually caught up with the suspect and say he resisted arrest. They eventually got control of the man "with the assistance of the bus driver," police say. No one was injured.

The man was carrying over $500 worth of razorblades and shavers in the bag, police say.

A 54-year-old Hamilton man was arrested and charged with theft under $5,000. He was held for a bail hearing.