Butler police say a suspected shoplifter Tuesday returned to the scene of the alleged crime — to turn himself in.

Weston G. Atwell, 48, of Butler is accused of swiping a snack and drink about 12 hours earlier at the A-Plus convenience store in the 400 block of West Jefferson Street.

But authorities weren't sure if guilt was eating at Atwell, and prompted his decision to come clean with what he did.

City police were called shortly before 2 a.m. Tuesday after Atwell showed up at the store. He wanted “to turn himself in,” according to court documents, “for taking the merchandise,”

He is accused of taking a cup of coffee and a pack of Hostess cupcakes, valued at a combined $3.48.

Atwell admitted to a clerk that he took the items, documents said, because he did not have any money at the time.

The store employee, in turn, notified police.

Despite the minimal monetary amount, Atwell is charged with a misdemeanor count of retail theft because this was not his first arrest for shoplifting. Police said that he has one prior conviction for retail theft.

He also has a pending shoplifting case in Butler County Court.

In that case, Butler police charged Atwell with the Feb. 14 theft of two nasal decongestant inhalers, valued at $14.98, from the Rite Aid on South Main Street.