Police: Suspected Shoplifter At Manchester Wal-Mart Slashes His Own Throat During Questioning

MANCHESTER, CT - A man apparently tried to take his own life after being caught shoplifting at the Manchester Wal-Mart, police said.

The incident took place just before 1:30 p.m., when Manchester Police responded to Wal-Mart at 420 Buckland Hills Drive.

It was reported that a suspected shoplifter had sustained a "significant self-inflicted wound" while being questioned by store security staffers, according to a news release.

The suspect, a 44 year old male, was being accused of switching the price tag on a vacuum cleaner and then attempting to purchase the item at the lower price, police said.

Store security staff members then approached the suspect and brought him into the security office, where they began to obtain his information, police said. While speaking with him, the suspect reached into a pocket, took out a knife and proceeded to slash his neck with the knife, sustaining a, "potentially life-threatening injury," police said.

More MPD officers arrived on scene a short time later and began providing medical treatment to the suspect until personnel from the Manchester 8th Utilities District and Manchester paramedics arrived on scene to take over treatment, according to a news release.

The suspect was then transported to Hartford Hospital, police said.

At 3:45 p.m., police were still trying to locate the man's family and were not releasing his name.