What started as shoplifting escalated when the alleged thief threatened to shoot two Walmart employees who tried to detain him.

Anthony J. Henn, 29, of Norman, is charged in McClain County District Court with first degree robbery.

He is in the McClain County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bond. His preliminary hearing conference will be at 9 a.m. August 31.

According to an affidavit, Purcell police were called to Walmart on July 27. The store manager reported a man, later identified as Henn, had concealed several items on his person and tried to leave the store.

When the manager and an employee tried to stop him, he shoved the employee and reached into his waistband and threatened to shoot them. Both victims believed he had a weapon, according to the affidavit.

He then fled on foot to the south.

Police were able to obtain a clothing description from surveillance video.

Later they were called to the Econo Lodge about a man sleeping on the second floor balcony.

Henn was wearing clothing matching the suspect. He gave the officer permission to search his bag, which contained the stolen items that totaled $328.82.