Man Tries to Sneak Chainsaw from Store Under Coat: Cops

SOUTHINGTON, CT — A man has been arrested for allegedly trying to steal a chainsaw from a Southington power equipment store, police said.

On Feb. 6, James David Larese Jr., 53, of Hartford, was charged with criminal attempt to commit fifth-degree larceny, conspiracy to commit fifth-degree larceny, possession of narcotics, and
possession of less than 4 ounces of marijuana, police said.

Larese is accused of entering the Sno-White Power Equipment Store on Town Line Road and allegedly taking a chain saw off the shelf and wrapping it in his jacket, police said.

As the accused walked toward the exit, an employee confronted him about the chainsaw and Larese said it was his own.

The employee identified the chain saw as SnoWhite property and Larese then turned it over to the employee without incident and the left the store, police said.

Southington Police responded and while checking the area found that two Sno-White employees located
Larese a short distance away and were detaining him. He was taken into custody without
incident and found to be in possession of heroin and marijuana, police said.

He had an accomplice who fled the store and left the area in a vehicle when Larese was confronted by the employee. The identity of the accomplice is not known, police said.

Photo Credit: SPD