Actor Adam Rich Arrested in Store Shoplifting Incident

One day after he was charged with burglary for breaking into a West Hills pharmacy, actor Adam Rich was arrested on suspicion of shoplifting at a Northridge department store, Los Angeles police said Wednesday.

Rich, 22, who played Nicholas, the youngest child on the television series “Eight is Enough,” was arrested Tuesday afternoon as a suspect in the theft of sunglasses and a pair of socks from Bullock’s at Northridge Fashion Center, Lt. Harvie Eubank said.

Police reports said that Rich, who has a history of drug abuse, may have been intoxicated at the time of the incident. Officers said he slurred his speech and was unsteady.

Bullock’s security officers said Rich was wandering through the store about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday when he removed price tags from an $18 pair of sunglasses and put the glasses in his pocket. He then went to a dressing room, tried on a shirt and asked to have it altered, authorities said.

While waiting, Rich grabbed a pair of socks and stuffed them into his pants, police said. He paid for the shirt, but left the store with the socks and sunglasses, police said. He was arrested outside the store.

Rich was free on $5,000 bail on charges of commercial burglary and reckless driving for allegedly breaking into a pharmacy earlier this month, Deputy Dist. Atty. Andrew Diamond said. That bail was paid by actor Dick Van Patten, who played his father on the television series. Rich was released on $250 bail after the Bullock’s incident.

Rich had been charged Monday in the April 6 break-in at the Medallion Pharmacy in West Hills. Investigators said he broke two windows at the pharmacy after a hospital refused to give him pain killers to ease shoulder pain.