Things didn't pan out for a repeat shoplifter accused of trying to swipe cookware from a Butler Township store, authorities said.

Township police Wednesday charged the suspect, Philip A. Kriebel, 56, of Meadville, Crawford County, with a felony count of retail theft in connection with the alleged Oct. 21 crime at the Butler Commons' Walmart.

Kriebel, who has four prior shoplifting convictions, allegedly took three sets of pots and pans along with three flea collar packs at the store shortly before 3:30 p.m., police said. The items, in all, were valued at $457.

A store loss-prevention officer told police that he tried to stop Kriebel at the entry/exit, but the alleged thief walked around him and fled, leaving the merchandise behind.

Police said they found Kriebel a short time later at a nearby store in the shopping plaza. He did not have a cast-iron alibi.

He admitted to being at the Walmart, investigators said, but he denied taking anything. Police took him back to the store, where the store employee allegedly positively identified him as the alleged shoplifter.

Eventually, police put a lid on the case when they say Kriebel admitted to the caper, telling them that he was “Just being stupid,” and that he cooked up a plan to later sell the stolen merchandise.

While normally a summary or misdemeanor offense, retail theft in Pennsylvania is upgraded to a third-degree felony regardless of the stolen property's value when a defendant has at least two prior convictions for the same crime.

Kriebel is to be arraigned on the charges Dec. 17, authorities said. Online court records did not indicate if he has an attorney.