Greenwich PD Arrests Suspect In $115K Westport Shoplifting Case

WESTPORT, CT — A 57-year-old Bronx, NY woman was arrested on first-degree larceny and other charges Saturday after Westport police said she stole four fur coats and vests worth $115,545 from displays at Mitchell's on Post Road East. She was apprehended at the partner store Richard's in Greenwich before she was able to take anything.

The incident began at about 4:30 p.m. after Mitchell's employees reported a larceny.

"Store staff reported noticing several pieces of fur missing from a display," Westport police stated. "This observation prompted staff to conduct a review of their surveillance footage at which time it was confirmed that several items had been stolen by a customer. The suspect had apparently removed the furs from the display and taken them into the dressing room. At this time the items were concealed on the suspect's person before subsequently exiting the store without paying for any of the merchandise."

A short while later, employees at Richard's on Greenwich Avenue in Greenwich called the Westport store to report "that the same suspect involved in the Westport incident was currently in their store."

Westport police then contacted Greenwich police, and officers in Greenwich quickly responded to Richard's and caught the suspect.

"Through a search of the suspect's person and vehicle, Greenwich officers subsequently recovered the missing merchandise from the Mitchell's store as well as several devices commonly used to defeat security measures in order to perpetrate the crime of larceny."

What kind of devices Coleman is accused of using were not disclosed. In addition to first-degree larceny, Coleman was charged with possession of a shoplifting device.

During processing, Westport police discovered that there was an active warrant for Coleman's arrest out of New York City on a charge of third-degree larceny, and she was subsequently also charged with being a fugitive from justice.

She was held in lieu of bail of $140,000 and was scheduled to be arraigned in Norwalk Superior Court on July 8. Police said she also may be extradited back to New York to face charges.