BUTLER TWP — Police reeled in a five-time convicted shoplifter who was allegedly trying to steal bags of frozen shrimp from a supermarket over the weekend.

Jason Lee Best, 30, of Lyndora is being held in the Butler County Prison on $10,000 bail on a felony count of retail theft.

A manager at the Moraine Pointe Plaza Giant Eagle notified Butler Township police about 10:30 a.m. Saturday after an employee spotted Best trying to leave the store with $42 worth of shrimp that he did not pay for, according to court documents.

An officer got to the store and spoke to the suspect who admitted he was a repeat offender and was on probation in a previous shoplifting case, police said.

While speaking to the defendant, the officer suspected he was under the influence of drugs. The suspicion only grew when Best “appeared to be falling asleep on his feet” during a field sobriety test, a police affidavit said.

Best also had trouble walking and officers had to help him to the police cruiser.

At the station, police confirmed the defendant’s criminal record that showed five prior convictions for shoplifting, documents said. In his most recent conviction in December, he was sentenced to 3 months’ time served in the county prison. He also was placed on 18 months’ probation, court records showed.

Following his arrest Saturday, he was arraigned on a felony charge of retail theft and a summary charge of public drunkenness. While normally a summary or misdemeanor offense, retail theft is upgraded to a third-degree felony regardless of the stolen property’s value when a defendant has at least two prior arrests for the same crime.

The felony charge carries a maximum penalty of 7 years in prison and a $15,000 fine.

A preliminary hearing for Best is set for Aug. 27 at the office of District Judge Kevin O’Donnell.