Formula Theft Turns Into Scratching Scuffle at Southington Target

SOUTHINGTON, CT — The attempted theft of $107 worth of formula from a Southington big box store turned into an assault charge for a Bristol woman, police said.

At 8:19 a.m. on Sunday, the Southington Police Department received a report of a shoplifter at the Target store, 600 Executive Boulevard. Michelle Young, 29, of Bristol, was arrested and charged with third-degree assault, sixth-degree larceny, second-degree breach of peace and possession of drug paraphernalia, police said.

Young was held on a $2,000 bond was to appear in court Monday, police said.

According to a report, Target "asset protection" staffers observed Young enter the store with an empty bag and then enter an aisle containing baby formula. Young allegedly selected multiple cans of baby formula and concealed the cans within the bag, according to a report.

Young then tried to exit the store with the merchandise, according to a report.

As staffers tried to detain her, Young began to resist and she scratched one of them with her fingernails, according to a report.

Young broke free, entered a vehicle and began to drive away from the store while dropping the bag containing the merchandise, according to a report. Young’s vehicle was subsequently stopped by Officers on Executive Boulevard and West Street, according to a report.

During the course of the stop, officers found a glass smoking pipe in Young’s coat which tested positive for the presence of cocaine, police said.

Police said the Target staffer sustained several scratches and cuts to the hands and refused medical treatment at the scene.

The stolen/recovered merchandise included:

• Three containers of Similac formula that cost $16.99 each for a total of $50.97
• Three containers of Enfamil formula that cost $18.93 dollars each for a total of $56.79

Photo Credit: SPD

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