A Suffolk man was arrested in his boxers Tuesday after police say he stole several bags of shrimp from a local grocery store.

William Henry James Jr., 41, of the 800 block of Second Avenue, was charged with third offense petty larceny, which is a felony, resisting arrest, obstruction of justice and drunk in public.

Suffolk police received a call of shoplifting about 6 p.m. at the Food Lion in the 1500 block of Holland Road. While checking the area, the officers saw the man coming out of the Happy Shopper store nearby wearing only his boxer shorts and boots, according to city spokeswoman Debbie George. He was carrying a T-shirt.

“While [officers] were talking to him, they learned he had left his shorts and the items that were stolen inside the Happy Shopper,” George said.

When the officers tried to place the man under arrest, he fled, running through traffic on Holland Road, George said.

He is scheduled to appear in court July 19 on the drunk in public charge, and on Aug. 22 for the rest of his charges.