Wanted Man Caught Shoplifting at Wal-Mart: Hamden Police

HAMDEN, CT — A man who was wanted on two arrest warrants out of Hartford is accused of giving Hamden Police a false name after shoplifting more than $1,500 worth of merchandise from Wal-Mart.

Hamden Police responded to the Wal-Mart, located at 2300 Dixwell Avenue, on the report of a shoplifting-in-progress, according to Capt. Ronald Smith.

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The suspect, Jovanni Rodriguez, was preparing to exit the store with $1,553.98 worth of stolen merchandise and was promptly arrested and transported to Hamden Police Headquarters, according to Smith.

Rodriguez, 27, of 11 Grandview Terrace in Hartford, was charged with fourth-degree larceny and interfering with a police officer. Rodriguez, who was detained on a $2,000 bond, is scheduled to appear at Meriden Superior Court on May 26.

Smith said that Rodriguez had earlier told Hamden Police that his first name was Vincent.

After obtaining his fingerprints, information revealed that his name was Jovanni Rodriguez and that he was wanted by the Hartford Police Department on two arrest warrants with a bond totaling $100,000, according to Smith.

Officer Dennis Putnam conducted the investigation.