A Brownsville man was arrested and charged for stealing $12,000 from his business partners, police said.

Rick Dennett, 38, was charged with theft for keeping money that was supposed to be used to fund a truck driving school, said police spokesman Sgt. Jimmy Manrrique.

The arrest took place at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday when a citizen recognized Dennett at The New York Deli and called police, the spokesman said.

After confirming his identity, officers followed Dennett and arrested him in the parking lot of Globo Supermarket on the Express 77/83 frontage road.

Police began investigating Dennett in August when three other partners contacted police in regard to the business.

"Apparently these people gave Dennett the money to open the business and he never did," Manrrique said. "He kept the money and later on left the area."