MANILA, Philippines -- An American tourist was arrested for allegedly stealing P500 worth of chocolate bars from a supermarket in Manila on Monday morning, police said.

The suspect, Robert Johnson, was accosted by a security guard at the SM City supermarket in Manila’s Ermita district at 10:45 a.m. for trying to sneak 19 chocolate bars out of the store, said Chief Inspector Froilan Uy of the Manila Police District (MPD).

In his sworn statement, security guard Arnel Soriano told police investigators that before the theft, he initially noticed Johnson pushing a grocery cart filled with chocolate bars.

Soriano said he found the American tourist's going around the aisles suspicious and decided to trail him.

The guard alleged that upon reaching an aisle with no shoppers around, Johnson started placing the chocolate bars inside a black bag then hurriedly left the supermarket.

Soriano chased Johnson, saying, "Sir, may I check your bag?" but, instead of stopping, Johnson allegedly ran away prompting the guard to seek help from his colleagues, which resulted in the American tourist's arrest.

Johnson was detained at the MPD General Assignments Section pending the filing of a theft charge against him before the city prosecutor's office.