A 43-year-old Austin man was arrested Wednesday for allegedly trying to steal more than $1,300 worth of merchandise from Shopko.

According to police, the man left the store with 68 unpaid items in a shopping cart and was confronted by security. When notified that police would be called, the man left the merchandise and fled in his vehicle.

Security jotted down the license plate number, and a search led to the vehicle and the suspect at Pickett Place Apartments.

Police confronted the suspect at his door. Initially, he denied having tried to take anything. When told there was surveillance footage, the man said he simply needed items for his daughter.

The man is being held in Mower County Jail. Charges have not been filed.