CRANBERRY TWP — A suspected shoplifter was arrested Sunday on charges he drove his car into a store employee who was attempting to stop his getaway outside a supermarket on Route 19.

Joshua A. Gonzalez, 26, of Pittsburgh is jailed on two felonies and four other charges in the Halloween day crime at the Giant Eagle parking lot.

Cranberry Township police allege Gonzalez shortly before 3 p.m. Oct. 31 went into the store and took a screwdriver and batteries, worth a combined $20 or so.

A loss prevention officer spotted the suspect and tried to stop him at the door. The employee grabbed hold of the alleged thief.

But the shoplifter struggled and eventually came out of his sweat shirt and another shirt underneath, said Cranberry police Sgt. Chuck Mascellino. He ran off, leaving the employee holding just the clothing.

“He jumped into his vehicle that was already running, threw it into gear and hit the employee in the leg,” Mascellino said.

The employee apparently was not injured enough to seek medical treatment.

Police said they identified Gonzalez using the license plate number they got from witnesses. The car is owned by his girlfriend’s father, Mascellino noted.

Gonzalez was arraigned Sunday on charges of aggravated assault and robbery, both felonies. He also faces misdemeanor charges of reckless endangerment and hit-and-run, a summary charge of retail theft, and a traffic ticket for reckless driving.

He remains in the Butler County Prison on $25,000 bail.