Man Shoplifts, Assaults Store Employee and Tries to Hide from Police: New London Police

NEW LONDON, CT — A shoplifting at CVS Pharmacy quickly escalated as the accused allegedly assaulted an employee as he fled the store and he then tried to hide from police too, police said.

Police said at 3:40 p.m., New London Police officers responded to CVS, 817 Bank St. for a reported incident of shoplifting by a male subject.

While officers were en route, the male subject attempted to leave the store before being confronted by CVS personnel, police said. Upon being confronted by CVS personnel, the male subject struck a store employee in the face and fled the store, running up Jefferson Avenue, police said.

Officers searched the surrounding area and were able to locate the male subject in the vicinity of Prest Street and Connecticut Avenue by the description provided by CVS personnel, police said.

Despite another attempt to flee officers by running, the male subject, later identified as Dereck Bonaparte, 26, of Garfield Avenue, was located attempting to hide from police on the rear deck of a third floor apartment of a nearby residence, police said.

The items stolen from CVS by Bonaparte were also recovered, police said.

Bonaparte was arrested charged with the following offenses:
Robbery 3rd Degree
Interfering w/ Police
Assault 3rd Degree
Trespass 3rd Degree
Larceny 6th Degree
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Bonaparte is being held on a $15,000 bond.

Anyone with information concerning illegal activity is asked to contact the New London Police Department at 860-447-5269, ext. 0 or via our anonymous Tip411 system.