A 49-year-old man who allegedly tried to walk out of an Iowa grocery store without paying for his groceries has admitted to making a "dumb mistake."

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After being arrested this week in Des Moines on charges he attempted to steal nearly $200 in groceries from a local supermarket, Mark Pitt told police he made a "dumb mistake," The Des Moines Register reported Saturday.

The incident occurred Friday when Pitt allegedly attempted to walk undetected past the store's registers with a grocery cart full of items.

Police said a store employee noticed Pitt and attempted to stop him, only to have the 49-year-old allegedly strike him several times.

Police told the Register that once they arrested Pitt, he informed them he did not have the money to purchase the groceries because he is currently unemployed.