No charges against Spanish Fork Police Chief Dee Rosenbaum in shoplifting case

SPANISH FORK — Prosecutors decided Tuesday not to charge Spanish Fork Police Chief Dee Rosenbaum with shoplifting at a Provo store.

Provo police said Rosenbaum was using a Dillard's bag to carry his potential purchases when he was stopped by mall security personnel on June 5. Rosenbaum had walked into the Dillard's at Provo Towne Centre with two empty bags, which caught the eye of an employee, Provo Police Capt. Cliff Argyle said.

The employee alerted store security workers, who saw Rosenbaum choose a number of items and then return them before settling on three pairs of pants worth almost $180. He placed the pants in one of the bags and continued to shop, without making any attempts to leave the store, Argyle said. Security personnel then contacted Rosenbaum, who was cooperative.

Rosenbaum informed Spanish Fork officials of the incident before news reports of the investigation surfaced and said he'd intended to purchase all items he had selected, Spanish Fork assistant city manager Seth Perrins said Tuesday.

The case was turned over to the Provo City Attorney's Office, which elected not to file any charges.

Spanish Fork did not to place Rosenbaum on administrative leave during the investigation. The mayor and council give the chief their full support.

— Lana Groves