CT trio charged with shoplifting from outlets www.privateofficer.com

 

Clinton CT Aug 12 2012 — Three Hartford residents are accused of stealing merchandise worth more than $2,500 from Clinton Crossing and Tanger Outlets in Westbrook.

Phathesia Robinson, 28, 91 Barber St., Joycelyn Mack, 30, 67 Edgewood St., and Jeremy Hasty, 24, 7 May St., were all charged with third-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit third-degree larceny on Saturday. All three appeared in Middletown Superior Court Monday to face the charges, which are class D felonies and carry a maximum sentence of five years in jail and a $5,000 fine.

Store employees at Tanger Outlets in Westbrook called police after seeing the trio and suspecting they were stealing from multiple stores, including Carters and Osh Kosh, police said. Employees reportedly watched Robinson, Mack and Hasty walk to a car and deposit shopping bags, then return to the shops.

A security officer approached the car and saw brand new Carter’s clothing with tags and hangers still attached. By the time police arrived, the trio had left the mall.

Police found the car a short time later at the Clinton outlets. Officers set up a perimeter, and when the three returned to the car with more shopping bags, police took them into custody.

When police asked to see receipts for the multiple items in the car, all three suspects denied knowledge or involvement with the items, police said. Police found merchandise from 14 different stores with a total estimated value of $2,640.

Robinson had bond set for $5,000 cash or surety and is due back in court Aug. 27. Mack was appointed a public defender and is due back in court Aug. 22. Hasty posted a $5,000 professional surety bond and is due back in court Aug. 27. All three defendants were ordered not to have any contact with each other and to stay away from both the Clinton and Westbrook outlets.

Source:middletown press