By Janice Morse
The Cincinnati Enquirer

HAMILTON - A shoplifting suspect was caught, police say, with the evidence on his head - and smeared on his face.

Joseph Dale Young, 48, of Hamilton, is accused of taking a strawberry parfait, valued at 99 cents, from the salad bar at a Kroger, 400 N. Erie Highway.

He ate the dessert without paying for it and discarded the empty container on the floor, a police report says, noting:

"Officer observed strawberry and cream all over (defendant's) face."

In the same incident, which was reported Saturday, Young also is accused of taking an $11.99 Ohio State University ball cap, ripping off its price tag, and wearing it as he left the store without paying.

Young, who was later released, is to appear Thursday in Hamilton Municipal Court.

E-mail jmorsew@enquirer.com