BELLINGHAM, Wash. – A Bellingham man is in custody after a series of events unfolded near the entrance of Target.

Court documents state that officers were investigating a separate incident at the store last Saturday, May 6th, when the suspect attempted to leave without paying for a full cart of items.

A witness physically tried to stop him from leaving, but he ended up getting knocked to the ground by the officer.

The officer noticed the suspect reach for his waistband while he was on the ground, indicating that he had a gun.

As the officer placed the suspect in handcuffs, the witness found a gun magazine in the area where the struggle occurred.

The suspect, 31-year-old Dillon Bass, was transported to Peacehealth St Joseph Medical Center, where he gave the officer a false name.

He later admitted to lying about his identity because there were several felony warrants out against him.

Investigators later found that the gun he was carrying was stolen.

Bass remains at the Whatcom County Jail on $200,000 bail.