Police arrested 19-year-old Aaron Darby and charged him with petit larceny.
He was released on an appearance ticket following the incident, during which a display case overturned while mall security staffers tried to arrest Darby as he fled Macy's.
The sound of the case shattering was mistaken for gunfire, and shoppers began calling 911 and fleeing the mall.
Several people suffered minor injuries during the incident. The mall reopened after about 15 minutes.
He is due back in court January 7.
